With Trump letter en route, Iran weighs talks with US |

TEHRAN:

With sanctions squeezing its economy, Iran is exploring the possibility of talks with the United States while resisting pressure to make major concessions.

Since returning to the White House in January, US President Donald Trump has called for a new nuclear deal with Tehran while reinstating his “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions.

Iran has officially ruled out direct talks as long as sanctions remain, with President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing on Tuesday that his country “will not bow in humiliation to anyone.”

On Friday, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging negotiations and warning of possible military action if Iran refuses.

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday the letter was expected to be delivered “soon” by an Arab country.

“Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, is carrying the letter,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told Iranian media on Wednesday.

Observers say Tehran’s stance remains focused on its atomic programme.

“It seems that Iran is ready for limited negotiations — in the sense that they will not extend beyond the nuclear issue,” said foreign policy analyst Rahman Ghahremanpour.

Trump appeared to be seeking a “comprehensive agreement” covering Iran’s nuclear programme, missile capabilities — long criticised by Western governments — and its “axis of resistance”, a network of militant groups opposed to Israel.

On Sunday, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said Tehran might consider talks only on “the potential militarisation” of its nuclear programme.