Iran dismisses direct US talks, demands trust-building steps

• Iran rejected direct negotiations: The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshzkian, announced that his country will not agree to direct talks with the US about its nuclear programme. This decision was in response to a letter from President Donald Trump.
• Possibility of indirect talks: Iran remains open to the possibility of indirect talks with Washington, although previous attempts have not made progress since the US withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018.
• Iran's conditions: Iran expects the US to prove its ability to build trust, which is crucial for any potential talks.

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, made it clear that his country is not avoiding talks, but the issue is the lack of trust in the US. "We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far. They must prove that they can build trust," Pezeshkian said at a government meeting. Iran conveyed its response through Oman, leaving the possibility of indirect talks open.

In mid-March, President Trump sent a letter to Iran proposing negotiations for a new nuclear agreement, giving the authorities in Iran two months to make a decision. In the letter, Trump warned that if the proposal was rejected, the US would tighten the sanctions imposed on Iran as part of the "maximum pressure" campaign. The 2015 agreement had eased international sanctions in exchange for Iran limiting its nuclear programme.

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, emphasised that Iran does not oppose talks with the US, but negotiations will not be possible until Washington changes its approach to Tehran. Iran expects the US to take steps towards building trust, which is crucial for future talks. "The way is open for indirect negotiations," Araghchi stated.