While President Donald Trump claims negotiations are underway to end Operation Epic Fury, Iranin officials are saying otherwise.
In a video statement carried by Iranian media, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, refuted the idea of ongoing diplomacy. He did not name Trump directly, but referred to him as a “self-proclaimed global superpower.”
He suggested Washington is attempting to “save face” after having setbacks in the region.
“Has the level of your internal conflict reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?” Zolfaghari said.
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Trump has said d assertion diplomatic progress had prompted a five-day delay to the targeted attacks as the U.S. and Iran worked toward a resolution.
Iranian officials have said no such talks are taking place.
Zolfaghari also warned that Washington should not attempt to reframe the situation.
“Do not call your defeat an agreement,” he said.
“Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you. Not now, not ever,” he added.
The message brings into question the status of diplomacy for the two.
There are reports, including one in the Wall Street Journal, that claim a 15-point proposal had been delivered to Iran, which outlined conditions for de-escalation.
Zolfaghari added a warning that any return to stability would fail to return energy markets to previous levels.
“You will see neither your investments in the region nor the former prices of energy and oil again, until you understand that stability in the region is guaranteed by the powerful hand of our armed forces,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei provided the same message while speaking to India Today Wednesday.
He said there have been no direct or indirect discussions between the two countries.
“As I said yesterday, there is no talks or negotiations between Iran and the United States as it has not been since the past 25 days of the illegal war against Iran,” Baqaei said, adding, “No one can trust U.S. diplomacy.”
Baqaei added: “Our position is very clear. Our brave forces are defending Iran’s territory.”
