Iran has responded to a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential new nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Thursday (March 27) that the message was delivered through Omani mediators, according to British news agency Reuters.
Quoting Araqchi, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported, “We will not enter direct negotiations under the U.S. administration’s maximum pressure policy and threats of force. Tehran’s stance remains unchanged. However, indirect negotiations may continue.”
He added that Iran’s perspective on the current situation was conveyed in the letter addressed to Trump.
Recently, the U.S. president sent a letter to the Iranian government. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran, warning that military action would be taken if Tehran did not comply with nuclear agreements. However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump’s statements as false.
Araqchi also firmly stated that negotiations with Washington would not be possible as long as military threats and the maximum pressure policy remain in place.
Shortly before Araqchi’s remarks, Khamenei’s advisor Kamal Kharrazi stated that not all doors to resolving U.S.-Iran tensions had been closed, and Tehran was open to indirect negotiations with Washington.
During his first term, Trump had conflicts with Iran. In 2015, Iran signed a nuclear agreement with six major world powers, including Germany. Under this deal, Western sanctions on Iran were partially lifted.
However, in 2018, the Trump administration withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, citing Iran’s alleged violations. Since then, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment, while Western sanctions against Tehran have intensified.
Western countries accuse Iran of enriching uranium to develop nuclear weapons. However, Tehran has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that its nuclear program is solely for civilian electricity generation.
To produce nuclear weapons, uranium enrichment must exceed 90%. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran’s enrichment level has reached 60%, which is significantly high for electricity production. Experts warn that Iran could reach weapons-grade levels with minimal additional effort.