To CNN, Iran says US contradictions are biggest problem in negotiations

Iran's main problem in negotiations with the United States is Washington's changing and contradictory positions, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.

Speaking to CNN senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen in Tehran on Sunday (7), Baghaei said the exchange of messages continued through Pakistani mediators.

"The main problem of negotiating with this administration is that you have to face many changes of position, changes in objectives, different statements, contradictory comments from different officials, which makes the whole process very complicated," said Baghaei.

There are a number of points of contention, he said, "but the bottom line is that Americans must understand that they have to recognize Iran's rights," including its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment under the international nonproliferation treaty.

"At the same time, when they talk about our blocked assets, they won't give us any concessions," Baghaei said.

Iran demands that the US agree to unfreeze billions of dollars in assets held in foreign banks.

CNN reported on Sunday that the US plans to allow Iranian assets to be used to support reconstruction in Gulf countries affected by future Iranian attacks, according to a source close to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The Treasury Department will also consider using Iranian assets to support repairs for past damage, according to the source who confirmed a Reuters report on Saturday.

The US should "just stop its sanctions," Baghaei told CNN. "As far as sanctions and blocked assets go, they simply need to allow Iranian assets to be released and available to Iranians."

Baghaei accused the US of not respecting the ceasefire that came into force in April. "They have been attacking our commercial ships, both in the Strait of Hormuz and on the high seas," he said.

The situation is very volatile and very dangerous, Baghaei added, "and it's all due to the United States' reckless approach to the region and, basically, the ceasefire."

The US military said it remained ready to "continue to defend against Iranian aggression" in the Gulf and said it shot down two more Iranian drones that were a threat to shipping on Saturday night.

Baghaei warned that Iran's armed forces "stand firm or determined to respond to any attacks with full force."

CNN operates in Iran only with government permission, but maintains full editorial control of its reporting.

Understand how tension in Hormuz affects ceasefire between the US and Iran

Source: CNN