Iran's reply to Trump arrives as US messaging mixed on nuclear deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi doubled down on Tehran's refusal to participate in face-to-face talks with Washington.
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WASHINGTON — Iran is signaling openness to nuclear talks with the United States — on its own terms.
On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had submitted its official response via Oman to President Donald Trump, who earlier this month wrote to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for new nuclear talks. The letter reportedly included a two-month deadline for reaching a deal and warned of military consequences if Iran refuses.
Araghchi did not reveal the contents of the letter but said Iran remains unwilling to participate in face-to-face talks with the Trump administration "under maximum pressure and military threats." State-run media quoted him as saying Thursday that Iran is prepared only for “indirect negotiations," which under past US administrations have been conducted via intermediaries including Oman, Qatar and Switzerland.
