Iranian MP Ebrahim Rezaei: talks with the U.S. right now would weaken Iran’s leverage

Iranian MP Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of the parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, said talks with the United States will not begin until Washington fulfills its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, warning that even discussing talks “at this moment” would weaken Iran’s negotiating position. His statement was quoted by the Iranian news agency Fars and reported by Al Jazeera.

“Even discussing talks at this moment is illogical, as it would lead to lower oil prices, thus reducing the pressure on the U.S., and would encourage the Americans to continue their pressure and hostility toward the Iranian people,” Rezaei said. “The United States must fulfill its commitments before talks begin,” he added, stressing that Iran will not start any talks until the U.S. implements the commitments demanded by Tehran.

The statement comes after President Trump dismissed the Iranian proposal of a seven-day ceasefire, which envisioned reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Arab mediators said Iran has made no compromise since the proposal was rejected.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials told Al Jazeera that mediated talks with Iran continue to be “constructive”, but there will be no deal without addressing the nuclear issues — precisely the issue Tehran has so far refused to put on the table.