Iran Says Pakistan, Türkiye and Qatar Working to Revive MOU as US Talks Remain Suspended
TEHRAN, August 3, 2026: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said that Pakistan, Türkiye, and Qatar are making efforts to revive a memorandum of understanding (MOU), while reiterating that there are currently no direct negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Speaking in an interview, Baghaei described Pakistan as playing a central mediation role in matters involving Iran and the US, but clarified that no new mediator has been appointed for possible future talks.
He also claimed that Britain, Bulgaria, and Ukraine had assured Tehran that they would not participate in any military conflict against Iran.
According to the Iranian spokesperson, China is actively using its diplomatic influence to help reduce regional tensions, while Qatar remains available to facilitate dialogue whenever required.
Baghaei stressed that Iran has never withdrawn from diplomacy, adding that Tehran and Oman are continuing discussions on establishing a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz. However, he emphasized that no negotiations with Washington are currently taking place.
He further accused the United States of failing to allow the restoration of maritime navigation under the memorandum of understanding before launching military action. Baghaei argued that continued US military pressure would prolong regional instability, describing the conflict against Iran as a war against the wider region.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the dispute with Iran should be resolved through negotiations rather than war. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed he had canceled plans for a major military strike on Iran following requests from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iran.
Trump said the operation, if carried out, would have been the largest military attack in the region since World War II, but insisted that his priority was achieving peace through diplomacy instead of military escalation.