Iran Says Talks with Mediator Continue to Prevent Escalation

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. (Source: IRNA)

Iran on Monday said it was continuing talks with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman in a bid to prevent further escalation in their war with the United States.

"The role of the mediators is to continue their efforts to prevent an escalation of tensions," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, launching Al Arabiya (13/7).

The United States attacked Iran on Monday for the second day in a row, prompting Tehran to attack neighboring Gulf states and Jordan, as the two enemies vie for the strategic status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran warned on Monday it would no longer abide by a memorandum of understanding it signed with the United States if Washington failed to fulfill its commitment to end the war.

"Every time the other party fails to fulfill its obligations, we do not fulfill our obligations. We will continue to act in this way," Baghaei said in a press conference in Tehran, after the latest attack between the two enemies.

Baghaei noted that the State of the Mullahs is trying to agree on a joint mechanism with Oman for the Strait of Hormuz, but US pressure on Oman has hampered these efforts.