Tehran, April 12: Iran has taken a firm stance amid ongoing negotiations with the US, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei declaring that the country “has not forgotten and will not forget” past breaches of promise by the United States, underscoring deep mistrust even as talks continue in Islamabad.

In a detailed post on X, Baqaei stated, “Diplomacy for us is the continuation of the sacred jihad of the defenders of the Iranian land. We have not forgotten and will not forget the experiences of America’s breaches of promise and malicious acts. Just as we will not forgive the heinous crimes committed by them and the Zionist regime during the course of the second and third imposed wars.”

He described the negotiations as intense and prolonged, noting, “Today was a busy and long day for the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad. The intensive negotiations that began from the morning of Saturday with Pakistan’s benevolent efforts and mediation have continued without interruption until now, and numerous messages and texts have been exchanged between the two sides.”

Highlighting the determination of the Iranian delegation, Baqaei added, “The Iranian negotiators are employing all their capabilities, experience, and knowledge to safeguard Iran’s rights and interests. The heavy loss of our great elders, dear ones, and fellow countrymen has made our resolve to pursue the Iranian nation’s interests and rights firmer than ever before.”

Reaffirming Iran’s broader stance, he said, “Nothing can or should deter us from pursuing our great historical mission toward our beloved homeland and noble Iranian civilization. The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to utilize all tools, including diplomacy, to secure national interests and protect the country’s well-being.”

According to Baqaei, discussions over the past 24 hours covered key issues including the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear programme, war reparations, sanctions relief, and ending ongoing regional conflicts. He stressed, “The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.”

At the conclusion of the latest round of talks, negotiations between Iran and the United States have been extended for another day at Pakistan’s proposal, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions. The talks, which began at 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, lasted over 14 hours and involved continuous exchanges of messages and draft texts.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the extension comes amid continued disagreements, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz and other critical issues. The report noted that while some initial progress had been made, “serious” differences persist, largely due to what Iran describes as “illogical and excessive demands” from the US side.

Thane: A 26-year-old woman has been found hanging at a hotel in Maharashtra’s Thane district, prompting police to launch a probe into her death from various angles, officials said on Sunday.

The woman had come to the hotel located in the Ambernath area and was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a room there on Friday night, they said.

After being alerted by the hotel staff, police rushed to the spot and sent the body to a government hospital for a post-mortem, an official from Ambernath police station said.

The police have as of now registered a case of accidental death and are conducting a probe to ascertain whether it was a suicide or somebody killed her, he said.

Mumbai: Acting on specific intelligence, an NCB arrested P Kumar and R Kumar from a West Bengal registered truck in Nagpur, Maharashtra on April 11. During the search, 210 kg of ganja concealed in a legitimate cargo of metal sheets was recovered and seized. On further questioning, it was confirmed that the seized drug was sourced from Sambalpur area of ​​Odisha, which is a major source of supply of illegal ganja. Two ganja distributors from Nagpur, Patil and Verma, were arrested in further action. During the investigation, it was revealed that the seized consignment of 210 kg ganja was distributed to various places in Maharashtra like Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Nashik, Pune and Mumbai from where it was to be retailed to the end customers and local shopkeepers. Further investigation is underway on this angle. This operation signifies the continuous efforts of NCB in dismantling organised drug gangs and targeting habitual criminals who fuel the drug ecosystem. The Bureau is steadfast in its mission to protect public health and uphold the vision of a “Nisha Mukt Bharat” by 2047. Citizens are appealed to play their role by reporting any information related to drugs through the Manas National Narcotics Helpline (Toll Free No.: 1933). The identity of the informants is kept strictly confidential.