Iran Denies Talks With US, Warns It May Broaden Retaliation

Iranian officials said Iran is not currently negotiating with the United States and will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until its seven conditions are met. Iran warned that, if the United States attacks it again, it could expand its retaliation to US military bases in some European countries and on remote islands.

Smoke rises after an airstrike in Tehran, Iran.（VietVance）

Mehdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote on Telegram on November 11 that Iran would begin negotiations only after all its conditions had been met. He said US President Donald Trump had authorized Vice President JD Vance to negotiate but had not allowed him to make concessions. Mohammadi also claimed the United States had completed preparations for a limited attack on Iran.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran and the United States are not currently negotiating. He also denied reports of a possible meeting between the two sides in Qatar or a direct meeting with Vance. He said the first of Iran’s seven conditions was an end to fighting on all fronts, especially in Lebanon. He added that the nuclear issue was not currently on the agenda and that Iran would not transfer enriched uranium out of the country. He urged countries hosting US forces not to allow the United States to use their territory for military operations against Iran.

US officials, meanwhile, said Trump had authorized Vance to explore the possibility of resuming talks with Iran, but discussions about a direct meeting between the two sides remained at a preliminary stage. Israeli broadcaster KAN said Israel’s security cabinet had instructed the military to step up preparations for a possible attack on Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused US and Israeli attacks of causing serious environmental damage at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey. He said attacks on fuel facilities at a major gas field in southern Iran had released about 500,000 tonnes of CO2, while attacks on fuel depots near Tehran had released about another 1 million tonnes. He called for a mechanism to hold those responsible accountable. The emissions figures have not been independently verified.

Source: VietVance