Iran president says US talks are meaningless

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said negotiations with the United States were “meaningless,” accusing Washington of seeking attacks and regime change rather than dialogue, The Korea Times reported, citing Iranian state media.

The remarks come as negotiations to end the Middle East war remain stalled after a June memorandum of understanding and as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Korea Times.

Pezeshkian said Monday that talks with Washington were "meaningless," according to The Korea Times, which cited the Iranian state news agency IRNA.

"So far, they have attacked us three times after talks, and this shows that they are not seeking dialogue; rather, their goal is to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by IRNA, according to The Korea Times.

The Korea Times reported that the Middle East war began in late February, when the United States and Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran while Washington and Tehran were negotiating over Iran's nuclear programme. The United States and Israel say the war is needed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, according to the article.

The warring parties agreed in June to a memorandum of understanding that outlined a framework for a permanent resolution, but later talks stalled, The Korea Times reported. Recent indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly did not lead to a breakthrough, according to the article.

"With an enemy that every day resorts to assassination, sanctions, pressure and threats, and that breaks its commitments, negotiations are meaningless," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by IRNA, according to The Korea Times.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the conflict would not be solved through force. "There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions." Araghchi said, adding, "Only negotiations based on justice and fairness" could resolve the matter, according to The Korea Times.

The Korea Times reported that Washington has not struck Iran since Sept. 1, while UKMTO said a tanker was hit Sunday and another vessel turned back Monday after threats by Iranian forces.