Iran plans to respond to President Trump’s letter emphasizing “threats and opportunities.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that negotiations will not occur under pressure or sanctions, citing Iran’s challenging circumstances along with its commitment to leverage experiences gained. The U.S. has initiated new sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports.
On Thursday, Iran conveyed its intention to consider a letter from US President Donald Trump that emphasized “threats and opportunities” at an appropriate time. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintained that no direct negotiations would ensue under conditions of pressure and sanctions. This statement arose amidst ongoing diplomatic discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear capabilities, particularly as the country faces multiple challenges in the Middle East involving significant setbacks to its allies.
Foreign Minister Araghchi underscored the gravity of the current situation, describing it as Iran’s most difficult period since the eight-year war with Iraq during the 1980s. Despite the adversities, he expressed confidence in Iran’s ability to rebound, bolstered by the valuable lessons gained from recent experiences. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed a desire for negotiation over military action, following the reimplementation of his “maximum pressure” campaign.
Araghchi articulated Iran’s stance stating, “under pressure and sanctions, we will certainly not engage in direct negotiations. Negotiations must take place from a position of equality.” He acknowledged Trump’s letter was received during a visit by UAE President’s diplomatic adviser, Dr. Anwar Gargash, and it is currently being scrutinized with a reply planned to be sent through appropriate channels when deemed fit.
Though Iran has consistently denied ambitions to develop nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported that Iran is significantly increasing uranium enrichment to 60 percent purity, nearing the 90 percent threshold required for nuclear armament. Concurrently, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed new sanctions targeting a network tied to Iran’s oil exports, aiming to disrupt financial mechanisms supporting these exports.
Araghchi noted that Trump’s letter has a predominantly threatening tone, while also presenting potential opportunities. He quoted martyr Suleimani, stating, “within every threat lies an opportunity” and expressed hope that Iran would wisely assess these opportunities. Suleimani, previously head of the Quds Force and architect of Iran’s regional influence, was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020.
The past months have seen the “axis of resistance”—which amplifies Tehran’s sway in the Middle East—substantially weakened, notably through Hezbollah’s leadership loss and military resources against Israel, alongside the deterioration of the Assad regime in Syria. Araghchi assessed the last year as extremely challenging but insisted that these trials would facilitate a more robust resurgence for the nation in the upcoming period.
In summary, Iran’s leadership is currently evaluating President Trump’s communication framed as comprising both threats and potential opportunities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized that Iran will not negotiate under sanctions or pressure, asserting their commitment to respond thoughtfully to Trump’s letter. Despite facing significant regional challenges, Araghchi expressed confidence that Iran’s recent experiences will contribute positively to its future recovery and stance within the geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
