Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has rejected the possibility of direct negotiations with the U.S. regarding Iran’s nuclear program amid the ongoing “maximum pressure” campaign led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump, during his first term (2017-2021), was the architect of the maximum pressure policy towards Iran, reinstating sanctions to economically weaken and isolate the country on the international stage. Since his return to office in January, Trump has expressed a willingness to negotiate with Iran on controlling its nuclear program but has also intensified sanctions.
Araghchi stated that Iran will not negotiate under pressure, threats, or sanctions, dismissing the possibility of direct talks with the U.S. on the nuclear issue as long as the “maximum pressure” approach persists.
This statement came after the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Iran related to oil sales. Iran, which signed the 2015 nuclear agreement with France, Germany, the UK, China, Russia, and the U.S., saw the agreement’s terms violated when Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018, reintroducing harsh sanctions. In response, Iran has significantly increased its reserves of enriched uranium, approaching the levels needed for nuclear weapons, though Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.
