Iran said today that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon are hindering efforts to reach an agreement between Tehran and Washington, reports Anadolu.

“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”, said the spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, in a press conference, according to the state broadcaster. IRIB.

Baqaei blamed the US, arguing that Washington bears responsibility because of its support for 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 seen as a substitute for power and said that negotiations do not necessarily mean mutual trust. “When the other side issues conflicting statements and conflicting media messages, it prolongs the negotiation process,” Baqaei added.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February. Tehran responded with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Persian Gulf, as well as 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 to exchange proposals and counter-proposals in an attempt to resume direct negotiations and end the conflict.

Source: prizrenpost