Iran sets conditions for nuclear talks with the US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on March 23 that nuclear negotiations cannot take place if the US does not change its policy of putting maximum pressure on Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi affirmed that the above move is not "stubbornness" but is entirely based on Iran's historical experience. Mr. Araghchi said that the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and the P5+1 group (including the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) is a big step backward for diplomacy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi

During his first term (2017 - 2021), US President Donald Trump re-imposed strict sanctions on Iran after the US withdrew from the JCPOA agreement in 2018, according to Reuters.

Foreign Minister Araghchi supported the original framework of the JCPOA but acknowledged that Iran's nuclear program had progressed significantly. "The JCPOA is no longer viable in its current form and text. Our nuclear situation has progressed significantly and it is impossible to return to the previous conditions," Mr. Araghchi said.

The Iranian diplomat also said that the JCPOA could serve as a basis and model for future negotiations. Mr. Araghchi said Iran has not given up and is adopting a strategy of indirect negotiations with the European Union (EU) on its nuclear program.

Foreign Minister Araghchi's statements came as Iran prepared to respond to a letter from President Trump proposing negotiations on a new nuclear deal.

On March 7, the US leader said he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the letter, President Trump warned of potential military action if Iran refused to negotiate. However, this approach has been criticized by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Araghchi also denounced the letter as a threat and said Iran would respond soon. Last month, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, warned that time was running out to reach a deal to curb Iran's nuclear program as Tehran continued to accelerate its uranium enrichment process to near weapons-grade levels.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/iran-ra-dieu-kien-dam-phan-hat-nhan-voi-my-185250324112949033.htm