The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the United States is not serious about negotiations with Iran, asserting that Washington will face the Islamic Republic's decisive retaliation if it repeats its past mistakes concerning the country.
Spokesman Esmail Baghaei made the remarks at a press conference on Monday, citing contradictions between Washington's words and actions as a case in point regarding the latter's indecisive attitude towards the issue of the talks.
"[Their] words and actions are not consistent, and Iran will make the appropriate decision with careful consideration of its interests and national priorities," he stated.
The remarks came after the United States said it would continue blockading Iran's ports and vessels, despite the announcement of a two-week lull in aggression targeting the Islamic Republic by President Donald Trump on April 7.
Iran subsequently declared the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic in retaliation, citing the continuation of the blockade as a violation of ceasefire conditions.
The Islamic Republic has vowed to retain the closure while the blockade is still in place. It has also refused to join any fresh talks with the American side unless a framework of understanding is reached between the two sides.
"From the early days of the ceasefire, we were faced with the US's bad faith, contradictory statements, followed by a naval blockade," Baghaei said.
He also referred to a recent American attack on an Iranian vessel that was faced with a decisive response on the part of the Islamic Republic, forcing US troops in the Sea of Oman to retreat. The spokesman identified the attack as "a violation of maritime agreements and an act of aggression."
