Iran Open to Indirect Talks Following Trump's Call for Negotiations

In a cautious move, Iran hints at potential indirect discussions with the U.S. following President Trump's letter urging direct negotiations to address nuclear concerns.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced on Thursday that the nation has responded to President Trump's correspondence, which proposed direct talks aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic's advancing nuclear program. Iran's response reflects a balanced stance, avoiding outright rejection of negotiations while refraining from accepting in-person discussions with the U.S. government.

Kamal Kharazi, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, indicated that Iran remains open to indirect negotiations with the United States, stating, “The Islamic Republic has not closed all the doors.” This comment comes amidst the backdrop of the tensions that have persisted since the severance of official diplomatic ties following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

While Iran conveyed its written response to Trump's proposal through Oman, further context was provided by Araghchi, who outlined a comprehensive perspective regarding the issues raised by the U.S. president. He articulated Tehran's position, saying, “Our policy is to not negotiate directly while there is maximum pressure policy and threats of military strikes,” suggesting that while direct talks are off the table, past indirect negotiations could be revisited as a viable option.