Iran has signaled openness to indirect negotiations with the United States, following President Donald Trump's renewed push for talks on a new nuclear deal. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Monday that "the way is open for indirect negotiations," while rejecting the possibility of direct talks unless Washington changes its stance toward Tehran.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran would not engage in direct discussions under threats or while Trump's "maximum pressure" policy remained in place. The policy, implemented during Trump’s first term, saw the U.S. withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018 and reimpose severe economic sanctions on Iran. The deal, signed between Tehran and major world powers, required Iran to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Western nations, including the United States, have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, allegations Tehran has repeatedly denied, insisting its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.
On March 7, Trump reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging nuclear negotiations and warning of potential military action if Tehran refused. Iranian news agency Fars reported that the letter was delivered on March 12 by UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash. Khamenei responded on Friday, stating that U.S. threats "will get them nowhere" and warning that Iran would take reciprocal action if Washington acted against it.
Araghchi described Trump's letter as "more of a threat," but acknowledged that it could present some diplomatic opportunities, with Tehran expected to respond soon. U.S. Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff, in an interview published on Friday, asserted that Trump’s objective was to prevent military conflict and build trust with Iran. He denied that the letter was intended as a threat.
Diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. were severed following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the Western-backed shah. Since then, communications between the two nations have been facilitated through the Swiss embassy in Tehran. Additionally, Oman has played a mediating role in indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear issue through the so-called “Muscat process.” However, Araghchi previously stated in October that this channel had been "halted for the time being."
