ISTANBUL (Bernama-Anadolu): Iran said Monday that ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon are hindering efforts to reach an agreement between Tehran and Washington, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
"The main factor in the failure to reach an agreement in the region is the Zionist regime and the attacks on Lebanon, an attempt to prevent the improvement of the situation in the region," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference, according to state broadcaster IRIB.
Baqaei also blamed the US, arguing that Washington bears responsibility because it supports Israel.
"The US is also responsible," he said, claiming that "every action" taken by Israel is "the responsibility of America, which supports it."
He stressed that diplomacy should not be viewed as a substitute for power and said negotiations do not necessarily imply mutual trust.
"When the other side issues contradictory statements and conflicting media messages, it prolongs the negotiation process," Baqaei added.
Tensions in West Asia have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February. Tehran responded with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as by closing the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took effect on April 8, but subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to secure a lasting agreement. Since then, the two sides have continued exchanging proposals and counter-proposals in an effort to resume direct negotiations and end the conflict.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
