Washington, Tehran negotiate via intermediaries — Iranian diplomat

MINSK, May 15. /TASS/. The negotiations between Iran and the United States are held in the format of sending messages through intermediaries, and there are no personal consultations on the agenda, Iranian Ambassador to Belarus Alireza Sanei told TASS. "There is no such plan as compared to the first round, when the parties took seat at the negotiating table opposite each other, had discussions and talked," the diplomat stated. "We are now just sending messages to each other through intermediaries. But negotiations as such are not on the agenda," Sanei noted. The Iranian diplomat added that "Pakistan can still be playing a mediating role in the conflict settlement as it does it now." On April 11, Iran and the United States held several rounds of talks in Islamabad. However, both sides later reported that they were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term settlement of the conflict due to a number of contradictions. On April 21, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to extend the ceasefire with Iran. Meanwhile, according to the Iranian state television, Tehran does not recognize Washington’s unilateral extension of the ceasefire and will act as it deems necessary in its own interests.