Iran rejects direct talks with US in its response to Trump’s letter
Iran rejected direct negotiations with the United States in its response to President Donald Trump’s recent letter, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday, adding that Tehran is open to indirect talks with Washington.
“While the response rules out the possibility of direct talks between the two sides, it states that the path for indirect negotiations remains open. It also emphasizes that Iran has never shied away from engaging in dialogue,” state media quoted Pezeshkian as telling a cabinet meeting.
“It’s the repeated breaches of commitments that have created problems on this path – those need to be addressed and trust must be rebuilt. It’s the behaviour of the Americans that will determine whether the negotiations can move forward,” the Iranian President added.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran’s response was sent via Oman, which has often served as a go-between in the absence of formal US-Iran diplomatic ties.
On March 7, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran’s highest authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling for new nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refuses.
Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran, has dismissed Trump’s call, accusing him of trying to mislead global public opinion by portraying the US as open to talks and Iran as the obstacle.
