Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that direct negotiations with the United States are not possible as long as the Trump administration maintains its “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran.
“Iran’s position regarding nuclear talks is clear, and we will not negotiate under pressure and sanctions,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“There is no possibility of direct negotiations with the U.S. as long as maximum pressure is being applied in this way,” he added.
President Donald Trump has continued his first term “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran, aimed at halting its nuclear ambitions. The administration’s latest sanctions targeted Iran’s oil industry, with Trump vowing to reduce the country’s oil exports “to zero.”
During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, which had eased sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. The decision faced widespread criticism, with experts arguing that diplomacy would be a more effective approach to ensuring Iranian compliance.
Trump has insisted he prefers a diplomatic resolution, stating that he seeks an agreement with Iran rather than military conflict. However, escalating sanctions have led Iran to gradually roll back its commitments under the nuclear deal, increasing uranium enrichment to 60% and expanding its stockpile.
Tehran has signaled that it will only engage in negotiations if the U.S. lifts sanctions and adopts a more flexible approach.
