Iran Slams Direct Nuclear Talks with Trump, Seeks Indirect Diplomacy in Nuclear Stalemate
As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, President Donald Trump has threatened to launch bombings if Tehran does not agree to a nuclear deal with Washington. The warning comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected direct talks with the US, citing the country’s past “misconduct” and a need for rebuilding trust.
In a statement, Pezeshkian said, “We responded to the US president’s letter via Oman and rejected the option of direct talks, but we are open to indirect negotiations.” He emphasized that Iran is not opposed to negotiations in principle, but Washington must first rectify its past mistakes and demonstrate a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. The comments come as the US has ramped up its military presence in the region, with additional bombers and an aircraft carrier reportedly en route to the area.
According to Barbara Slavin, a fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and a lecturer in international affairs at George Washington University, the Iranians are “right to be distrustful” given Trump’s track record and withdrawal from a previous deal. “The Iranians are worried, but mostly about the economic impact of Trump’s sanctions, the resumption and increase in economic sanctions, which we’ve already seen,” she said. “The Iranian currency has depreciated dramatically. There’s high inflation and unemployment, and I think this frankly worries the Iranians more than a physical attack, which if anything, might unify the country.”
Slavin noted that the US has moved additional bombers to Diego Garcia, positioning itself to carry out some form of military action, possibly in conjunction with Israel if a diplomatic settlement is not reached. The comments follow an earlier letter from Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning that Tehran must either agree to fresh negotiations or face a military confrontation. Khamenei dismissed the ultimatum, insisting that Iran would only engage in talks through intermediaries.
As the standoff continues, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran has amassed enough fissile material for multiple bombs, but has made no effort to build one. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes. The economic impact of the sanctions has been severe, with analysts suggesting that only a breakthrough in negotiations with Washington could lead to any relief. Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei, said that Tehran had “not closed all doors” to negotiations, and was open to indirect talks with the US to evaluate the other party and make an appropriate decision.
Original Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/30/iran-rejects-direct-nuclear-talks-with-trump-open-to-indirect-negotiations
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Publish Date: 2025-03-31 01:22:00
