Iran Warns It Will Not Be Bound by Deal with US if Violations Continue

Mediators are working to revive diplomacy aimed at ending a Middle East war, following U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration that a ceasefire is over. A Qatari delegation visited Iran, and Tehran's foreign minister traveled to Oman for talks. This diplomatic push comes after an exchange of fire that strained an agreement intended to help bring about a permanent end to the conflict, which began in late February with significant U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

“

Iran has asked us to continue 'talks'. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!

Despite the lack of direct talks between Tehran and Washington since last month, Iranian media reported the Qatari delegation's visit. Trump had previously called negotiations a "waste of time" but later stated they would continue. He also posted on his Truth Social platform that Iran had requested talks and the U.S. had agreed, but "the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" In a subsequent post, Trump escalated his rhetoric, threatening to "completely decimate" Iran if it attempted to assassinate him.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Oman, a mediator in previous U.S.-Iran negotiations, to discuss the critical Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi asserted that Iran has upheld its end of the agreement, unlike the U.S. Treasury Secretary, whom he accused of violating a memorandum of understanding. This violation, he stated, followed other missteps by the United States, emphasizing that "There can only be mutual compliance."

“

That violation follows other violations and missteps by the United States. Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance,

The U.S. Treasury Department recently revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil, canceling a license that had permitted Tehran to produce, sell, and deliver crude oil until August 21. This action occurred despite one round of direct talks and indirect negotiations in Qatar since the memorandum of understanding was signed, with no clear diplomatic progress. The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains a significant obstacle. Iran closed the strait to commercial ships during the war in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes, impacting global oil and gas exports. Iran insists on controlling ship passage and plans to charge fees, rejecting the pre-war era of free navigation, while Washington maintains it is an international waterway where fees are unacceptable.

“

will not impose any new sanctions, and will not deploy additional forces in the region