Iran’s Response to Trump’s Negotiation Proposal
On Thursday, Iran announced its official response to a letter from President Donald Trump, who had urged the Iranian government to engage in direct negotiations aimed at curbing the nation’s advancing nuclear program. This development marks a significant moment in the complex relationship between the two countries.
In a nuanced approach, Iran did not outright reject the possibility of negotiations with the United States; rather, it expressed a willingness to explore indirect talks. Kamal Kharazi, a prominent foreign policy adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated in local news reports, “The Islamic Republic has not closed all the doors and is willing to begin indirect negotiations with the United States.”
The backdrop of this diplomatic overture is the absence of official diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. However, the two nations have historically engaged in various forms of communication regarding critical issues, including the nuclear program, prisoner exchanges, and regional conflicts.
Iran conveyed its written response to President Trump via Oman on Wednesday. According to Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, the country has presented a comprehensive perspective on the issues raised by Trump, as well as on the broader situation in the Middle East. He remarked, “Our policy is to not negotiate directly while there is maximum pressure policy and threats of military strikes.” He further emphasized, “But indirect negotiations can take place as they have in the past.”
