Tehran, July 29 -- Declaring that Tehran has "no plans to negotiate with the US," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Tuesday stated that while discussions are proceeding "step by step" with Oman, the Islamic Republic will not let Washington dictate the terms of engagement.

In remarks given in an interview with State TV and carried by Al Jazeera, Gharibabadi emphasised that the US cannot pick and choose when to engage in conflict or diplomacy.

"We should not get America used to fighting whenever it wants and sitting at the negotiating table whenever it wants," Gharibabadi said, claiming that it was Washington "who sent messages pleading for an end to the conflict."

He made the remarks in response to US President Donald...