In his first statement on the day the 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran expires, as provided for by the Islamabad Memorandum, Donald Trump reiterated his standing demand regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.

“The primary objective is, and always will be, to ensure that Iran does not acquire, in any way, shape, or form, a nuclear weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social.

“There is no 60-day deadline in the agreement with the U.S.,” Tehran says

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding with the United States does not provide for the so-called “60-day deadline,” while emphasizing that contacts with Qatar are continuing. Qatar is playing an important role in efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Tehran also confirmed that negotiations with Oman are ongoing. The talks have been extended due to the large number of parties involved and, according to Iran, because of efforts by certain countries to undermine them.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that the text of the memorandum of understanding contains no provision entitled “60-day deadline.” As he stressed, Iran never determines its policy under pressure, ultimatums, or deadlines, but makes its decisions exclusively on the basis of an assessment of the country’s national interests and security.

What the memorandum provides for, according to Tehran

Baghaei clarified that what was provided for in the memorandum was simply a 60-day period for talks on two key issues: the lifting of sanctions and Iran’s nuclear program.

According to him, this period could be extended if the two sides failed to reach an outcome. However, the Iranian official argued that the United States carried out a “serious and extensive violation” of the June 18 memorandum only a few weeks after it was signed.

“Due to the serious and extensive violation by the United States of the June 18 memorandum of understanding, just a few weeks after it was signed, talks did not begin and, therefore, the issue of the 60-day deadline has now completely lost its significance,” he said.

Iranian armed forces on alert

Baghaei emphasized that state institutions are currently focused on managing ongoing developments, while Iran’s armed forces are monitoring all movements with full vigilance.

At the same time, he said, efforts by mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, are continuing with the aim of de-escalating the situation.

Referring to the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that “with regard to issues related to Iran’s sovereign rights in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, there are laws in force, and the Foreign Ministry always takes into account, in the positions it expresses, both the existing legal framework and current developments.”