Foreign minister: Iran preparing response to Trump’s letter

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran has yet to respond to a letter from President Donald Trump of the United States regarding a replacement for the 2015 nuclear deal.

"We have not yet responded to the US president's letter, and this response is being prepared and will be presented soon through the appropriate channels and in the appropriate form," he said at a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan on Tuesday.

The minister clarified that Iran would not engage in direct talks with the Trump administration under the reinstated maximum pressure campaign.

“We do not negotiate directly with the United States under maximum pressure where we are witnessing military threats and increased economic sanctions from Washington,” he said.

However, Iran has always been eager to discuss its nuclear program to “create greater transparency” and is already holding talks and consultations with three European countries and other interested nations, he added.

“We have never left the negotiation table on our peaceful nuclear program and will not do so,” Araghchi said, suggesting that the country is willing to engage in indirect talks with Washington.

The minister reiterated Iran’s belief that regional problems should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue, opposing any attacks or military conflicts in the region.

The Trump administration recently restored the so-called maximum pressure policy, first introduced during Trump’s initial term in office in 2016.

FM: Iran acts upon own interests irrespective of Trump's expectations

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran acts based on its own interests in disregard of the expectations held by US President Donald Trump, stressing Tehran’s commitment to diplomacy.

Under this policy, Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark agreement on Iran's nuclear program in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran.

The 2015 deal, signed between Tehran and world powers, saw Iran commit to temporary confidence-building restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for the removal of Western-imposed economic sanctions.

On March 7, Trump announced he had written to Iran to call for nuclear negotiations and threaten military action.

The letter was delivered to Tehran on March 12 by UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei responded on March 21, stating that US threats "will get them nowhere" and warning of reciprocal measures "if they do anything malign" against Iran.

He also dismissed Trump’s outreach for talks, accusing him of attempting to deceive global public opinion by portraying the United States as willing to negotiate while framing Iran as unwilling to engage.

Armenia-Azerbaijan deal welcome

In his remarks, the Iranian minister also welcomed an agreement on the text of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, urging both countries to sign it promptly to strengthen regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation.

He reiterated Iran's support for the independence and territorial integrity of regional states, opposing any changes to international borders or geopolitical shifts.

Additionally, he said that Iran supports economic collaboration, including the opening of transit routes, provided they respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Discussions between Araghchi and Armenia also covered transport and trade facilitation, with agreements reached on cost reductions and infrastructure improvements, including a new bridge over the Aras River.

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