Iran says 60-day US negotiation period irrelevant after alleged violations

Iran has declared that the 60-day negotiation window with the United States, established under a memorandum of understanding, is no longer relevant. The Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, stated on Monday that Washington's "blatant violations" rendered the timeframe moot.

Baqaei clarified that the memorandum of understanding did not contain any provision for a 60-day period and that the Islamic Republic of Iran never formulated policy based on pressure, threats, or deadlines. He explained that the agreement stipulated a 60-day period for negotiations on two specific issues: the elimination of sanctions and the nuclear program, with the possibility of extension if no agreement was reached.

"Because America has committed blatant and widespread violations of the MoU, no dialogue was initiated just weeks after it was signed," Baqaei told reporters at a weekly press conference, as cited by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. "Therefore, discussions about the 60-day period are no longer relevant."

Meanwhile, CNN reported that the 60-day period given to the US and Iran to reach an agreement to end the war had expired. According to CBS News, Monday marked 60 days since the US and Iran signed the MoU, which stipulated that a more comprehensive peace agreement would be negotiated within that timeframe. Despite several flare-ups and reports of near-agreement, no concrete plans have emerged to end the 24-week conflict.