Monday, March 31, 2025

Iran’s president officially rejects Trump demand for direct talks on nuclear program

Iran’s president said Sunday that Tehran had rejected direct negotiations with the United States in response to a letter from US President Donald Trump over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. The remarks from President Masoud Pezeshkian represented the first official acknowledgment of how Iran responded to Trump’s letter. It also suggests that tensions may further rise between Tehran and Washington.

Pezeshkian said, “Although the possibility of direct negotiations between the two sides has been rejected in this response, it has been emphasized that the path for indirect negotiations remains open.”It’s, however, whether Trump would accept indirect negotiations. Indirect negotiations for years since Trump initially withdrew America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018 have been unsuccessful.

Trump’s overture comes as both Israel and the United States have warned they will never let Iran, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction, acquire a nuclear weapon, leading to fears of a military confrontation as Tehran enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels — something only done by atomic-armed nations.   (Ed note: I take Trump at his word. Have you looked at Bill Salus' great book, "Nuclear Showdown in Iran? It's now a must read)"      Read more)