In a recent statement, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, highlighted significant disagreements with the United States, particularly regarding nuclear discussions. He reiterated Iran's position that it will not engage in talks about its nuclear program, citing past experiences where negotiations led to conflict. Baghaei emphasized that Iran is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has the right to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He attributed the ongoing regional crises directly to the US's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018, stating that this decision has had dire consequences. Furthermore, Baghaei noted that peace negotiations with the US are currently not close, with a 'deep and significant' gap remaining between the two nations. In contrast, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran is desperate to reach an agreement, while maintaining a hardline stance against its nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed potential contingency plans for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need for operational readiness in case of further tensions.