Iran is approaching weekend talks with the United States over its nuclear program warily with little confidence in progress and deep suspicions of US intentions, Iranian officials said on Tuesday, with one official saying Washington’s demands are “unacceptable” to Tehran.
The talks were announced on Monday by US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened Iran with military action if it does not agree to a deal since his return to the White House in January. Iranian officials said that many of Trump’s demands would be non-starters. “Trump wants a new deal: end Iran’s regional influence, dismantle its nuclear program, and halt its missile work. These are unacceptable to Tehran. Our nuclear program cannot be dismantled,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
“Our defense is non-negotiable. How can Tehran disarm when Israel has nuclear warheads? Who protects us if Israel or others strike?” said another official. Trump has said the talks on Saturday in Oman will be direct, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi repeated on Tuesday Tehran’s position that they should be indirect, citing what he called US pressure and threats. “Indirect negotiations can guarantee a genuine and effective dialogue,” he told Iranian state news agency IRNA. Araghchi said the talks would be led by him and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. (Read More)