Antalya/Tehran: Iran has said that no date has been fixed for the next round of negotiations with the United States, emphasising the need to first agree on a basic framework before resuming dialogue.
Speaking on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in Antalya, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that Tehran is focused on finalising a “framework of understanding” to ensure meaningful progress in future talks.
High-level engagement ends without breakthrough
The remarks come after the highest-level engagement between the US and Iran since the Iranian Revolution concluded in Islamabad last weekend without any agreement.
The inconclusive outcome underscored persistent differences between the two sides, despite initial expectations of progress.
Iran wary of premature negotiations
Khatibzadeh warned against entering talks without clarity, saying such meetings risk failure and could escalate tensions further.
“We are focusing on finalising the framework of understanding. We do not want negotiations that are doomed to fail or become a pretext for escalation,” he said.
He added that without agreement on key principles, setting a date for the next round of discussions would be premature.
Differences over approach stall progress
Iranian officials indicated that while the initial round saw some movement, talks eventually stalled due to what Tehran described as a “maximalist approach” from the US side.
The disagreements reportedly centre around legal and strategic expectations, which continue to hinder consensus.
Uncertainty over future engagement
Earlier, Donald Trump had suggested that further direct talks could take place soon, possibly within days. There were also indications that another round might be scheduled in Islamabad.
However, uncertainty persists due to logistical challenges and the lack of agreement following the first round. Sources familiar with the matter have expressed doubts about immediate progress.
Conclusion
With both sides yet to agree on a foundational framework, the future of US-Iran negotiations remains uncertain. While diplomatic engagement continues, significant gaps in expectations suggest that a breakthrough may take time, with careful groundwork needed before talks can resume effectively.