Iran has declared that negotiations with the United States would remain meaningless until Washington fulfils seven conditions set by Tehran, even as Qatari mediators arrived in the Iranian capital on Sunday to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
The latest developments come amid a continuing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran refusing to reopen the strategic waterway fully until its demands are met.
According to Reuters, Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran as part of efforts coordinated with Washington to reduce regional tensions and explore the possibility of renewed negotiations.
Abbas Gouzardi, spokesperson for the speaker of Iran's parliament, said Tehran had made its position clear and would not enter meaningful discussions unless the United States accepted its conditions.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its seven conditions, and until these conditions are met negotiations will be meaningless," Gouzardi told the state-linked ISNA news agency.
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐
Gouzardi also criticised US President Donald Trump's recent warnings of further military action against Iran, describing them as attempts to intimidate Tehran.
He accused Washington of seeking to deprive Iran of its nuclear capabilities and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have maintained that any resumption of negotiations must be preceded by concrete steps from Washington rather than fresh threats or additional conditions.
Tehran's previously stated demands include an end to hostilities across regional fronts, the release of frozen Iranian assets, the removal of restrictions on Iranian oil exports and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
However, Iranian officials have not publicly detailed all seven conditions in a single comprehensive statement.
๐ง๐ฟ๐๐บ๐ฝ ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐บ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that he is approaching a decision on whether to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Tehran or resume military strikes.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, the US President said Washington had the option of reaching a deal or taking further military action.
"I have a decision to make: Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal? That's all," Trump said, adding, "We don't play games."
Trump has also suggested that American strikes against Iran could resume after the November 3 midterm elections.
The United States has moved additional military assets towards the Persian Gulf, including a third aircraft carrier group, amid concerns over Iranian and Houthi threats to American interests in the region.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐๐ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the diplomatic deadlock between Tehran and Washington.
Iran has maintained restrictions on the strategic shipping route while demanding that the United States honour earlier commitments concerning regional security, sanctions and maritime access.
The dispute intensified following US and Israeli military strikes against Iran in February, which triggered retaliatory attacks and disruptions to shipping through the waterway.
Although the two countries subsequently reached interim understandings, disagreements over their implementation prevented a lasting settlement.
๐ค๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐๐ฒ
Qatar and Pakistan have played important roles in facilitating indirect communication between Iran and the United States.
Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that messages were continuing to be exchanged through mediators, while reiterating that Tehran's preconditions must be respected.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, although Tehran expects Washington to fulfil its commitments before broader negotiations can proceed.
The arrival of Qatari mediators signals continued efforts to prevent another military confrontation. However, with Iran maintaining its conditions and Washington keeping military options open, an immediate breakthrough remains uncertain.