DUBAI/TEL AVIV/WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday to “get serious” about a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, after its foreign minister said Tehran was reviewing the US proposal but that there were no talks on winding down the war.
Trump’s comments came as the economic and humanitarian toll of the conflict mounted, with fuel shortages spreading worldwide, sending companies and countries scrambling to contain the fallout.
“Indirect talks” between the US and Iran are taking place through messages relayed by Pakistan, with other states including Turkiye and Egypt also supporting mediation efforts, Pakistan’s foreign minister said.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this did not amount to negotiation. “Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries and us responding by stating our positions or issuing the necessary warnings is not called negotiation or dialogue,” Araqchi said in comments broadcast late on Wednesday.
“At present, our policy is to continue resistance and defend the country, and we have no intention of negotiating,” he added.
