Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on Thursday that a recent letter from US President Donald Trump, which proposed new nuclear talks, was “more of a threat” than an opportunity for dialogue. Araghchi, speaking on Iranian state television, revealed that Tehran is carefully reviewing the letter’s contents and will issue a formal response “in the coming days.”
On March 7, Trump confirmed he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging negotiations while warning of potential military action if Iran declined. Khamenei dismissed the US overture, accusing Washington of attempting to mislead global public opinion by framing the US as open to talks and Iran as resistant.
The letter was delivered on March 12 by a senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s foreign ministry has since announced it is conducting a “thorough assessment” before crafting its reply. Araghchi noted that the response “will be sent through the appropriate channels,” though he did not provide further details.
According to a report by US news outlet Axios on Wednesday, citing a US official and other sources, the letter set a “two-month deadline” for reaching a new nuclear agreement. Trump, who began his second term in January, has reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, reimposing stringent sanctions similar to those enforced during his first presidency.
In 2018, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was negotiated between Iran and world powers. Following the US exit, Iran initially complied with the agreement for a year before gradually scaling back its commitments. Efforts to revive the deal under the Biden administration have so far been unsuccessful.
Iran has consistently refused to engage in direct talks with the US as long as sanctions remain in place. Araghchi reiterated this stance, emphasizing that Iran “will not negotiate under pressure, threats, or increased sanctions.” He stressed that any dialogue must occur in a fair and respectful environment, free from coercion.
The ongoing tensions between the two nations highlight the challenges in reviving diplomatic efforts, with both sides remaining firmly entrenched in their positions.
