Tehran (TDI): Just a day after the United States announced fresh sanctions on Iran targeting over 30 vessels and individuals, including the head of the state oil company, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday dismissed the possibility of direct talks with the US on his country’s nuclear program.
The sanctions were the latest to be imposed since President Donald Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy towards Tehran, reprising his approach during his first term.
FM Araghchi said during a joint media conference with his visiting Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday that there will be no possibility of direct negotiations between Iran and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as the maximum pressure is applied in this way.
Regarding the nuclear talks, Iran’s is very clear. Tehran will not negotiate under pressure, threat or sanctions.
Lavrov arrived in Tehran for meetings with Araghchi and other senior officials on a range of topics including bilateral ties, regional developments and the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers.
Read More: Iran Nuclear Program at Point of No Return: France
During Trump’s first term, which ended in 2021, the US unilaterally withdrew from the landmark nuclear agreement among several nations for relief from sanctions.
On Monday, Iran held a new round of negotiations with Germany, France and Britain about its nuclear program after reviving engagement with the three countries, known as the E3, late last year.
FM Araghchi stated he had briefed Lavrov about the latest talks.
On the nuclear issue, Iran will move forward with the cooperation and coordination of Russia and China, he added.
Read More: US Targets Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
During a visit to Moscow in January, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian inked a strategic partnership with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin underpinning their economic and military collaboration.
Discussing the situation in Syria, FM Araghchi said Iran and Russia’s positions on Syria remain “very close”.
Iran wants peace, stability, unity, preservation of territorial integrity, and the progress of Syria based on the will of the people, he said.
