Iran has confirmed that it did not participate in scheduled technical talks with the United States, citing recent military attacks and unresolved conditions tied to ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
The announcement was made by Mehdi Fazaeili, a member of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Iran’s Supreme Leader, during an interview on Iranian state television. According to Fazaeili, Tehran decided not to attend the technical discussions because key commitments under the existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) had not yet been fulfilled.
Among the issues raised by Iranian officials is access to Iranian funds that had previously been frozen abroad. Fazaeili said the lack of progress on that matter was one of the reasons Tehran concluded that conditions were not suitable for the talks to proceed.
The cancellation comes after days of renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent military exchanges that threatened to derail fragile diplomatic efforts. The technical talks were expected to address implementation issues connected to broader negotiations between the two sides, including regional security concerns and confidence-building measures.
Despite Iran’s decision not to attend the scheduled session, officials from the United States have indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. Reports suggest both countries are still exploring opportunities to resume dialogue in the coming days, with discussions potentially shifting to Doha, Qatar, as mediators work to prevent further escalation in the Gulf region.
International observers have expressed concern that the latest setback could complicate efforts to reduce tensions at a time when instability in the Middle East continues to affect regional security and global energy markets. Renewed uncertainty has also contributed to fluctuations in oil prices, as investors monitor developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for crude oil exports.
Diplomatic analysts believe the postponement of the technical talks does not necessarily signal the collapse of negotiations. Instead, it highlights the deep mistrust that continues to characterise relations between the two countries, with both sides insisting that previously agreed commitments must be honoured before meaningful progress can be achieved.
Whether negotiations resume in the near future is expected to depend largely on improvements in the security situation and the willingness of both governments to address outstanding concerns through diplomatic channels.
