Iran firmly responds! The U.S. seeks to return to the negotiating table, but Iran flatly refuses! On July 23, according to foreign media reports, Iran directly rejected any ceasefire revival initiative supported by the United States and mediated through Qatar or any other third party. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that Tehran will take no meaningful diplomatic steps until Washington changes its approach and respects Iran’s interests.

The issue lies in the U.S. approach—illogical, excessive, and arrogant. Our firm response has exposed their arrogance. Until they understand that there is no path forward except respecting the Iranian nation, we have no intention of taking any meaningful action. Clearly, Iran's resolute stance has effectively blocked any possibility of the U.S. reopening negotiations in the short term.

Why does the U.S., after relentlessly bombing Iran, now secretly reach out hoping for talks? Obviously, on one hand, the U.S. has long planned to use force to prompt negotiations—regardless of whether talks succeed, it first wants to probe Iran’s bottom line. On the other hand, the U.S. is genuinely under pressure right now. The Houthi forces have already blockaded the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; Saudi oil shipments cannot go out; international oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel, reaching a two-month high, increasing mounting pressure on the U.S. government.

However, from Iran’s perspective, time is entirely on their side. To Iran, the U.S. lacks credibility. "Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action." If talks are to occur, the U.S. lacks sincerity. Even if talks yield results, the U.S. will quickly renege and tear up any agreement. Frankly speaking, Iran’s civilian diplomatic establishment does advocate resolving issues through negotiation—but with such a hardline tone from the diplomatic system, it goes without saying that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is inherently hawkish, would be even more uncompromising. Clearly, the U.S. is now in a difficult position—riding a tiger and unable to dismount.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871521027671052/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author