tehran: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said on Sunday that the recent meeting with US officials was the longest such conversation in the past year. Baghai, who heads Iran’s Center for Public Diplomacy, told local media that both sides tried to reach agreements on some important issues, although differences in their approaches remained and ultimately no agreement could be reached.
Baghai said, “I believe that these talks were the longest talks last year. It lasted 24 or 25 hours—starting yesterday morning, when indirect communication between the two sides started through the Pakistani mediator, and continuing without pause.”
He further said that diplomacy is always a tool for security and protection of national interests. “Diplomacy never ends. Diplomacy is always a tool to secure and protect national interests and diplomats must perform their duties in wartime or peacetime. This time the talks took place in an environment of post-war peace, which was completely filled with distrust and suspicion,” he said.
Iran’s expectations: Agreement not possible in one meeting
Baghai said Iran did not expect from the beginning that they could reach an agreement in a single session. “In any case, the US side, as well as the Israeli regime, had just launched a military attack on Iran for the second time in the last nine months. So, it was not right for us to initially expect that we could reach an agreement in a single meeting. I don’t think anyone expected that, yet these talks have been the longest for us,” he said.
Introduction of new topics: Strait of Hormuz and regional issues
Baghai said that some new issues were added to the talks this time, such as discussion on the Strait of Hormuz and regional issues. “These issues have their own characteristics and conditions. But I think we should always protect our national interests and diplomats should work in this direction,” he said.
He said many important topics were discussed during the talks, including Iran’s ten-point proposal and issues raised by the other side. “On some issues we reached agreements, but our positions remained different and ultimately no agreement was reached,” he said.
Thanks for Pakistan’s support
Baghai expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Pakistan government and its people. “I would like to use this opportunity to thank the government and people of Pakistan. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have made significant efforts. Pakistan’s hospitality should be appreciated.”
Diplomacy: An integral part of the country’s security and cooperation
He said – Baghai said that diplomacy always stands with other components of the government. “We are confident that contacts and consultations will continue between Iran, Pakistan and other friends in the region. Diplomacy always stands for the security of our people and country,”
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