Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Photo: AP
Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the idea of direct negotiations with the United States over its nuclear programme, calling them "pointless", according to a statement from his office released on Sunday.
This came in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent push for direct talks, where he argued that face-to-face negotiations were “faster” and allowed for a clearer understanding than working through intermediaries. Trump had also reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month, proposing negotiations while simultaneously warning of possible military action should diplomacy fail.
“Contradictory positions and threats”
In a firm response, Araghchi said there was no logic in talking directly with a country that issues threats and violates international norms.
"Direct talks make no sense with a country that constantly threatens to resort to force in violation of the UN Charter and that expresses contradictory positions from its various officials," the statement read.
He reiterated Iran’s commitment to diplomacy but made it clear that indirect talks were the only viable route.
"We remain committed to diplomacy and are ready to try the path of indirect negotiations," Araghchi said.
"Iran keeps itself prepared for all possible or probable events, and just as it is serious in diplomacy and negotiations, it will also be decisive and serious in defending its national interests and sovereignty."
Iran seeks equal footing in dialogue
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed a similar stance on Saturday, expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue but only on equal terms. He also questioned the credibility of the US approach.
"If you want negotiations, then what is the point of threatening?" he asked.
No diplomatic ties since 1979
Iran and the United States have had no official diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Regional countries such as Oman have often acted as intermediaries between the two nations.
According to Iranian officials, Trump’s letter was delivered to Tehran via the United Arab Emirates, and Iran responded through the Sultanate of Oman at the end of March.
Military response to any threat
On Sunday, General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, outlined Iran’s defence policy.
"We seek peace in the region," he said, referencing the message in Iran’s reply to the US.
"We are not the ones who start wars, but we will respond to any threat with all our might."
Nuclear concerns and history of the deal
The United States and other Western nations have long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Iran, however, has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes only.
In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council— the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China—along with Germany. The agreement promised sanctions relief in return for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities to ensure it could not develop a nuclear weapon.
However, in 2018, during Donald Trump’s first term as President, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reinstated tough sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran began to roll back its commitments and has since stepped up its nuclear programme.
“No choice but to respond” if attacked
Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, issued a stark warning on Monday.
While stressing that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, he said that in the event of an attack, Iran would “have no choice but to do so”.
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