Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced that Iran will not engage in direct talks with the United States regarding its nuclear program as long as the US maintains its “maximum pressure” policy. This statement came during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran on Tuesday. Araghchi emphasized that Iran will not negotiate under pressure or sanctions, particularly after the US imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry, a critical source of revenue for the country.
The US sanctions were imposed just a day before Araghchi’s remarks, as part of President Donald Trump’s renewed “maximum pressure” campaign, which aims to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero. This policy mirrors the tough stance Trump took during his first term, which included withdrawing the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA). Since the US withdrawal, Iran has breached some of the deal’s limits, and efforts to revive the agreement under former President Joe Biden’s administration failed.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has also expressed opposition to talks with the US, calling them “not smart, wise, or honourable.” However, he did not explicitly renew a ban on direct negotiations with Washington, which had been in place during Trump’s first term.
Despite the tensions with the US, Iran has continued discussions with European powers—Germany, France, and the UK (collectively known as the E3)—about its nuclear program. Araghchi informed Lavrov about the latest developments in these talks and reiterated Iran’s commitment to moving forward with the support of Russia and China.
Lavrov, for his part, expressed confidence that diplomatic solutions remain viable for resolving issues related to Iran’s nuclear program. He also highlighted the growing ties between Russia and Iran, particularly in the face of shared challenges such as US sanctions. Both countries have deepened their cooperation in recent years, including in Syria, where they have supported President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Araghchi stated that Iran and Russia share a “very close” position on Syria, emphasizing Iran’s desire for peace, stability, and the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity. Lavrov echoed this sentiment, pledging to work toward calming the situation in Syria to ensure it does not threaten the Syrian people or neighboring countries.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers also addressed broader regional and bilateral issues, with a focus on expanding economic and political ties and addressing the impact of sanctions. Lavrov’s visit to Iran followed recent direct talks between US and Russian officials regarding the war in Ukraine. Lavrov praised Trump’s “balanced” stance on the conflict, particularly after the US voted with Russia on a United Nations resolution that avoided condemning the Russian invasion.
Overall, the discussions between Iran and Russia underscored their coordinated approach to regional challenges and their shared opposition to US-led sanctions and pressure campaigns.
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