Iran has categorically ruled out any talks on extending the 60-day period stipulated in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU), stressing Tehran does not formulate its policies under pressure or artificial deadlines, Mehr reports.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing on Monday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei emphasized that Tehran does not formulate its policies under pressure or artificial deadlines and that the United States has violated the MoU from the outset.

There was no provision in the text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a 60-day deadline, explaining that the document only envisaged negotiations on the nuclear issue within 60 days, he stated.

Baghaei emphasized that Iran would make decisions based on its national interests and assessments rather than being compelled by a deadline.

“Iran is not a party that adjusts its policies under pressure and deadlines,” he underlined.

Addressing US claims that Washington had changed its priorities regarding Iran, Baghaei said the claims demonstrates continued confusion and confirmed that the war of aggression against Iran had no basis other than serving the ambitions of “a regime in our region.”

He said the US had initially cited the need to confront an imminent threat from Iran as the reason for launching the war, but the Pentagon itself has rejected the claim and said there had been no such threat.

“They have trapped themselves in a quagmire and, in order to justify their failures, they are forced to change their objectives,” Baghaei said.

He added that acknowledging a mistake could pave the way for a correct decision, although he expressed doubt that US officials possessed “such courage.”

Baghaei underlined that Tehran has been using diplomatic contacts and all available channels to determine the fate of four Iranian pilots who went missing during a defensive operation against a US military target in Qatar.

He said Iran maintains regular contacts with Qatar and has conveyed its concerns and considerations to the Qatari side regarding the missing pilots.

The Iranian MFA spokesperson stressed that Tehran is seriously demanding clarification of the fate of the Iranian Air Force personnel who had been dispatched on a defensive mission “to target the source of the US aggression.”