Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced on Saturday that Iran is open to negotiations with the United States, provided they are not conducted under President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy.
Araghchi emphasized that lifting sanctions necessitates dialogue, but not within the framework of maximum pressure, as it would equate to a form of surrender.
This statement follows Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s recent remarks, where he criticized proposed nuclear talks with the U.S., stating that such negotiations are “not intelligent, wise, or honorable.” Khamenei cited past experiences, particularly the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the reinstatement of sanctions, as reasons for his skepticism.
The 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), involved Iran and six world powers: the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia. It imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of international sanctions. However, in 2018, President Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reimposed stringent sanctions on Iran, despite objections from European allies.
Recently, President Trump expressed support for a “peace deal” with Iran, emphasizing that the nation must not acquire nuclear weapons. In line with this stance, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new financial sanctions targeting an international network accused of facilitating the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China.
Araghchi underscored that Iran is unwilling to negotiate with a country that imposes new sanctions simultaneously, highlighting the need for a change in the U.S. approach to foster meaningful dialogue.
