Iran’s Foreign Minister has rejected the United States’ proposals for direct negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump called for face-to-face talks.
In a statement released on April 6, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said Tehran was open to indirect talks with Washington.
“Iran is prepared for all possible or expected events, and just as it is serious in diplomacy and negotiations, it will be equally decisive and serious in protecting its national interests and sovereignty,” he was quoted as saying.
Araghchi’s comments came three days after Trump urged for “direct talks” with Tehran, claiming that face-to-face negotiations would be “faster” and offer a better understanding than using intermediaries.
Last month, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, requesting negotiations while warning of military action if diplomacy failed.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on April 5 that Tehran was willing to engage in dialogue, but only if both parties were equal.
In 2015, Iran struck a historic deal with the United States, France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany to limit its nuclear activities. The agreement eased severe sanctions that had crippled Iran’s economy.
However, during his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement and re-imposed sanctions.
Iran denies Western accusations that it is attempting to build nuclear weapons, insisting that its nuclear programs are intended solely for peaceful purposes, such as electricity generation.
