Iran says no 60-day deadline in its deal with US, accuses Washington of breach

WASHINGTON, United States — TEHRAN — Iran's Foreign Ministry said the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in Islamabad contains no specific 60-day deadline, adding that the time frame referenced in the agreement relates only to negotiations over sanctions removal and the nuclear file. Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Monday that the ministry's decisions are not taken under time pressure or ultimatums. Baghaei accused Washington of violating the memorandum weeks after it was signed and of obstructing the start of new talks. He said Iran's "resistance" had upset those calculations and accused certain parties of sabotage aimed at prolonging the negotiations, without naming them. On humanitarian issues, the spokesman said Iranian pilots stranded in Qatar remained under contact and that Tehran was continuing its diplomatic engagement with Doha and Islamabad as part of mediation efforts. He added that Iran is holding talks with Oman to establish a safe navigation mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei warned that US actions were the main source of insecurity in the region. No further details on the next round of Iran-US negotiations were immediately available.