We’re open to indirect nuclear talks with US – Iran

Iran on Monday said it was open to indirect talks with the United States, after President Donald Trump demanded negotiations for a new nuclear deal.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said this, added that the way is open for indirect negotiations, dismissing the prospect of direct talks until there is a change in the US' approach towards the Islamic republic.

Araghchi reiterated that Tehran would not engage in direct talks with Washington under threats, so long as Trump maintains his maximum pressure policy.

Trump, under that policy in his first term as President, withdrew the United States from a landmark agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran.

The deal, which was sealed in 2015 between Tehran and Western powers, required Iran to limit its nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief.

Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran has denied, insisting its enrichment activities were solely for peaceful purposes.

On March 7, Trump said he had written to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to call for nuclear negotiations and warn of possible military action if Tehran refused.

The letter was delivered to Tehran on March 12 by UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash, Iranian news agency Fars reported at the time.

Also, on Friday Khamenei said US threats would get them nowhere, warning of reciprocal measures if they do anything malign”; against Iran.

Araghchi on Thursday said Trump’s letter was more of a threat, but added that it could also open up some opportunities and that Tehran would respond soon.

Tehran and Washington cut diplomatic ties after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Western-backed shah.

Since then, the Swiss embassy in Tehran has reportedly facilitated communications between the two nations.