IRAN is serious about pursuing a diplomatic path to resolve the nuclear issue and end U.S. sanctions, but its armed forces will remain vigilant, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Baghaei denied rumors that a temporary agreement on a nuclear deal had been reached in indirect talks between Iran and the United States, stressing that any negotiation aimed at forcing one side to unilaterally accept the demands of the other is naturally bound to fail.
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Iran is determined to pursue diplomacy and negotiations that lead to results, Baghaei said.
"Our position on ending the cruel U.S. sanctions and the nuclear issue is clear, and we are well aware of the U.S. side's viewpoints. If both sides demonstrate goodwill during negotiations, we can hope for a result. We are now in the stage of stating our positions. We hope that we will be able to hold another round of talks within the next two to three days," Baghaei said.
Baghaei warned that any attack by the United States against Iran, regardless of its scope and scale, will be considered an act of aggression and will have consequences.
He said if the renewed indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States lead to a war, Iran's armed forces will respond appropriately and are vigilantly ready round the clock to defend the country.
"Regardless of these threats, Iran is committed to defending the national interests and rights of the Iranian people. Once we feel that the other side is using the negotiation process for deception, we will definitely take appropriate positions. We cannot forget or underestimate the previous experiences. When our diplomats are in the negotiating room, our military forces will certainly be more vigilant," Baghaei said.
Delegations from Iran and the United States held two rounds of indirect nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman's capital, and Geneva earlier this month. A new round of talks is expected in Geneva on Thursday.
The renewed diplomatic process comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States and a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.
