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DUBAI, May 1, Reuters reports – Iran accused the United States on Thursday of “contradictory behaviour and provocative statements” after Washington warned Tehran of consequences for supporting Yemen’s Houthis and imposed new oil-related sanctions amid nuclear talks.
Over the past month, Washington and Tehran have been negotiating a deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of financial sanctions. The fourth round of talks is scheduled for Saturday in Rome.
On Wednesday, Washington imposed sanctions on organisations that it believes are involved in the illegal trade in Iranian oil and petrochemicals.
Separately, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth warned Iran of consequences for supporting the Houthis, who control northern Yemen and attack ships in the Red Sea, saying it was a manifestation of solidarity with the Palestinians. Washington has been intensively bombing the Houthis since mid-March, hitting more than 1,000 targets. Tehran claims that the Houthis are acting independently.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghraei criticised “the contradictory approach of US politicians, their lack of goodwill and seriousness in promoting diplomacy”, state media reported.
“The responsibility for the consequences and destructive effects of the contradictory behaviour and provocative statements of US officials towards Iran lies with the US side,” Baghdadi said.
US President Donald Trump, who abandoned the previous nuclear deal between the world powers and Iran during his first term in 2018, has threatened to attack Iran if it does not agree to a new deal. Both sides have so far described the previous rounds of talks, which have been held weekly with Omani mediation, as productive.
