Former Iranian diplomat Abbas Hameyar dismissed President Trump’s recent claim
that Iran is pushing for direct talks, saying there has been no new diplomatic
initiative beyond efforts underway in recent weeks. He said Tehran’s activity is
focused on ensuring existing MOUs are implemented, not opening new negotiations,
and added that nobody believes the US narrative that Iranians are ‘‘begging’’
for meetings. Hameyar said Iran insists on international guarantees to make any
deal credible and expressed doubt that potential mediators — Pakistan, Qatar or
Oman — could provide such guarantees. He also characterized Trump’s public
statements as largely aimed at a domestic audience, intended to help stabilize
energy markets and court US voters.
