Iran Blames US for Talks Collapse, Seeks Security Guarantees

Iran has called for credible guarantees against further attacks by the United States and Israel as a condition for stabilizing the situation in the Gulf.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said lasting security would only be possible if aggression against Iran ended and its sovereignty was respected.

At the same time, speaking in St Petersburg, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of derailing the negotiations with what he described as “excessive demands”.

US President Donald Trump said Iran could initiate talks if it wished to resume negotiations. He also suggested that the cancellation of a planned visit by US envoys to Pakistan did not signal a return to hostilities.

Tensions in the region remain elevated on multiple fronts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cited threats from Hezbollah as justification for continuing military operations, while Israeli strikes in Lebanon have caused casualties despite the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the United States and Iran have also clashed at the United Nations over Tehran’s nuclear programme, which Washington says is incompatible with international obligations.

(guardian, bak)