Iran accused the United States on Monday of not seriously pursuing talks, while maritime monitors reported a vessel on fire southeast of Iraq, with the crew’s status and the cause unknown.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Washington seemed to see diplomacy as a way to force its demands, rather than as a way to negotiate. He questioned the U.S. administration’s intentions. The comments added to public tension over talks.
Baqaei did not announce a new meeting with U.S. officials. Separately, senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye met Iranian leaders in Tehran. The meeting took place amid concern about renewed fighting in the region.
The four countries agreed to continue discussions about cooperation, peace and security. They did not set a date for another meeting. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it received multiple reports from third parties of a vessel on fire 63 nautical miles southeast of al-Faw, Iraq.
The alert did not identify the vessel. It left the crew’s condition, any damage and any effect on the environment unknown. The alert did not establish what caused the fire.