Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has not ruled out negotiations with the US but insists they must be on equal footing. He warned that talks under pressure would be futile, as Supreme Leader Khamenei reiterated that negotiations with Washington would only worsen sanctions.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi has not ruled out talks with Washington, but says they can only take place if both countries are on "equal terms," an Iranian state-run newspaper reported on Thursday.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing nuclear talks, but also warned that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal".
"If we enter negotiations while the other side is imposing maximum pressure, we will be negotiating from a weak position and will achieve nothing," Araqchi told the Iran paper in an interview.
"The other side must be convinced that the policy of pressure is ineffective — only then can we sit at the negotiating table on equal terms."
Khamenei said on Wednesday that talks with the Trump administration would simply "tighten the knot of sanctions and increase pressure on Iran."
Read next
13:58
USA-IRAN
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected holding negotiations with the United States over a nuclear deal, as a letter was delivered from U.S. President Donald Trump calling for such talks.
10:23
Energy Change
The US has upheld Iraq's waiver for Iranian gas imports but revoked its power import exemption. The decision poses challenges for Iraq's energy sector, which relies heavily on Iranian gas. The US urges Iraq to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on Iran.
15:04
Chinese and Russian warships have entered Iranian territorial waters to participate in the "Security Belt 2025" naval drills in the northern Indian Ocean which is set to begin today.
07:06
Iran
Iran would consider negotiations with the United States if discussions focus on concerns regarding potential militarization of its nuclear program, Iran’s U.N. mission stated on Sunday in a post on X.
19:39
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran will not be pressured into talks, rejecting U.S. efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal. His remarks came a day after Donald Trump revealed he had sent a letter seeking discussions.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment