According to a report by an Iranian state-run newspaper on Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has indicated a willingness to engage in talks with Washington, but emphasized that such discussions must be conducted on “equal terms.” Araqchi expressed concerns that negotiating under the current maximum pressure from the U.S. would put Iran in a weak position and yield no results. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned against engaging in talks with the Trump administration, stating that it would only result in further sanctions and increased pressure on Iran. The relationship between the two countries has been strained since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions on Iran. Despite leaving the door open for a potential nuclear agreement, President Trump has continued to pursue a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, aiming to isolate the country economically and reduce its oil exports.
