Iran Signals Openness to Talks Yet Suspends Its Commitments
Iran said it remained open to negotiations even as the strikes continued. The foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said intermediaries had gone on exchanging messages with Tehran throughout the latest American bombardment, and that talks could be pursued on Iran’s terms. Hours earlier the deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said Iran had suspended its commitments under the memorandum of understanding signed last month, deepening doubts over the fragile framework.
The dual signalling — diplomatic channels open, formal commitments frozen — captures a conflict neither side seems able to end or win outright. The 18 June memorandum briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz before a series of ceasefire breaches from early July unravelled it. Mr Gharibabadi said flatly: “We have also suspended our commitments; we are not implementing them.” The presence of intermediaries suggests a negotiated pause remains possible, but each night of strikes narrows the room. Watch for any third-party mediation offer from Gulf capitals or Oman.