Iran Foreign Ministry Says US Not Serious About Pursuing Diplomacy

An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)
An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)
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Iran Foreign Ministry Says US Not Serious About Pursuing Diplomacy

An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)
An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that the United States was not serious about pursuing diplomacy, citing what it called "violations" of their two-week ceasefire.

"While claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, the US is carrying out behaviors that do not in any way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

He said a US attack on an Iranian cargo ship early Monday, the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and delays in implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon were all "clear violations of the ceasefire".

Iran has been at war with Israel and the United States since February 28 when strikes killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a conflict that has engulfed the region.

Tehran and Washington have since held a round of negotiations which failed to culminate in a deal to end the war. It took place against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire which began on April 8.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he had ordered US negotiators to travel to Pakistan on Monday to hold another round of talks, but Iran has yet to confirm its attendance.

"As of now, while I am at your service, we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard," said Baqaei.

Key sticking points include Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since the outbreak of the war.

"Regarding the issue of transferring enriched uranium, neither during this period of negotiations nor before has transferring it to the United States been discussed," Baqaei said.

"It was never raised as an option for us," he added.



US, Israel Differ Over Timing of Strike on Iran

 Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN
Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN
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US, Israel Differ Over Timing of Strike on Iran

 Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN
Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN

A group of senior US military officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, is pushing to resume the war against Iran, while advisers to US President Donald Trump favor continuing to "strangle Iran" through economic sanctions.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Wednesday that he opposed launching a preemptive strike on Tehran ahead of the Israeli elections, but insisted that he would "bring Iran down" within the next two years.

The US-Israeli differences over the timing of renewed military action coincided with reports that Iran had adopted "new tactics" to target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A container ship was also reported to have caught fire and sunk after striking a mine.

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohibbi said Iran had acquired far more advanced weapons following the 40-day war.

On the ground, three people were injured when an unidentified drone struck a fishing boat off Sirik in Hormozgan province, southern Iran.


US Considers Hitting Iran with 'Mother of All Bombs'

An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)
An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)
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US Considers Hitting Iran with 'Mother of All Bombs'

An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)
An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)

The United States is considering using its biggest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if President Donald Trump should decide to renew combat in the war that has hit a deadlock, CNN reported Thursday.

The military is planning for the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb -- better known by its nickname, the "Mother Of All Bombs" -- to target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, according to the news outlet, which quoted officials familiar with the matter.

Trump is trying to boost his low approval ratings ahead of November's midterm elections, with polls showing the unpopular war in Iran and fuel and other price rises it has caused are hurting his Republican Party.

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which erupted with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, have been at an impasse since the summer.

But officials have raised doubts over the efficacy of the bomb if it were deployed, particularly its ability to destroy suspected underground nuclear sites in Iran.

"The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else," a source familiar with the plans told CNN.

"It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead."

The United States and Israel have said the war was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons -- a goal Tehran has long denied pursuing.

There are also concerns over the possibility of civilian casualties from such a huge weapon, according to AFP.

Washington has in recent weeks dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure.

In 2017, the US military in Afghanistan dropped the "MOAB" to target ISIS group hideouts in a complex of tunnels and bunkers, killing more than 90 militants.


Pezeshkian: Iran is Facing its Most Intense Blockade since 1979

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
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Pezeshkian: Iran is Facing its Most Intense Blockade since 1979

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that the country was facing its most intense blockade since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, accusing the United States of seeking to provoke public protests.

Iran and the United States have been at war since February 28, when US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Over the 48 years since the Revolution, we have never faced such intense blockade, war and difficulties as we are facing now," Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast by state television.

He accused Washington of seeking to make life difficult for Iranians in order to fuel public anger and trigger unrest.

Pezeshkian said the US was focusing its efforts on making "the people become upset and face difficulties, and then for social protests to emerge so that they can achieve their sinister objectives".

The US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran's closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, diverting or stopping vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports.

Iran has repeatedly accused the US and Israel of fomenting unrest inside the country, and in recent months has executed several Iranians accused of collaborating with its foes.

In late December last year, protests over the cost of living erupted in Iran, spreading nationwide and evolving into a wider anti-government movement.

Iran's rulers blamed the US and Israel for the unrest.