KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to reach a consensus in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States must continue, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said such efforts are imperative despite claims that Iran had rejected a second of round of talks with the US.
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“I pray and hope that the conflict ends soon because it does not benefit anyone.
"Even if there is refusal from the Iranian side, we hope there are continued efforts to persuade all countries to come to the table to talk," he told reporters on Thursday (April 23).
On Tuesday (April 21), Anadolu Ajansi reported that no Iranian delegation travelled to Pakistan to hold another round of talks with the US, citing Iran’s state-run broadcaster IRIB.
“So far, no Iranian delegation has travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan – neither the main delegation nor any subsidiary, primary, or secondary delegation,” the broadcaster said.
IRIB added that multiple media reports that an Iranian delegation would travel to Pakistan or that talks were scheduled for Monday evening or Tuesday morning “were untrue.”
The report also cited Iranian officials’ remarks from Sunday (April 19) evening, indicating that “continuing participation in talks depends on changes in the behaviour of the Americans” and that Tehran rejects negotiations “under the shadow of threats.”
