Iran rules out talks with US, says focus remains on national defense amid rising tensions

Iran has stated that it currently has no intention of entering negotiations with the United States, saying that its main priority at this stage is protecting its territory and strengthening national defense capabilities. The statement was made by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Bagh, who emphasized that Tehran’s approach would depend on whether Washington fulfills its own international commitments.

Speaking during an interview with reporters, Baghaei said Iran remains committed to its obligations under existing agreements, but only on the condition that the other side also respects and implements its responsibilities. He stressed that Iran’s commitments cannot be viewed as one-sided obligations and that cooperation depends on mutual compliance.

“Our commitments remain valid only as long as the other party fulfills its own promises,” Baghaei said, reiterating Tehran’s position that international agreements require all sides to honor their commitments equally.

The Iranian official further claimed that Tehran reduced its participation in certain commitments under a memorandum of understanding after the United States failed to meet its obligations under the temporary arrangement. According to Baghaei, Iran responded to what it described as a breach by limiting its own implementation of related commitments in areas where it believed the agreement had not been respected.

His remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military actions and escalating regional disputes.

The comments followed reports of US military strikes inside Iran that resulted in casualties among Iranian personnel. According to reports, the attacks targeted an Iranian military facility early Wednesday, killing several members of the Iranian armed forces and injuring others.

The US military launched multiple missiles toward a residential area and accommodation facilities linked to Iran’s army ground forces in Bampur city, located in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Iranian officials condemned the strikes, describing them as a serious escalation and a violation of national sovereignty. The attacks have increased tensions between the two countries, with Tehran emphasizing that its immediate focus remains on defending the country against external threats.

According to Iran’s Health Ministry spokesperson, American attacks carried out during the month have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 35 people reported killed and around 300 others injured. Iranian authorities have continued to criticize the strikes while calling for international attention to what they describe as aggressive military actions.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration would no longer move forward with plans to impose a 20 percent security charge on cargo shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed fee had raised concerns among international traders and shipping companies because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy and commercial shipping routes. Any additional costs or restrictions in the region could have affected global trade and energy markets.

The decision to abandon the proposed charge came amid already elevated tensions in the region. While diplomatic communication between Iran and the United States remains uncertain, both sides continue to closely monitor each other’s actions.

Iran’s latest statements indicate that Tehran is prioritizing security measures and military preparedness rather than diplomatic engagement with Washington at this time. However, officials have suggested that future cooperation could depend on whether the United States demonstrates a commitment to honoring previous agreements and international obligations.