The Related Press
Iran mentioned Sunday it might contemplate negotiations with the USA if the talks had been confined to considerations concerning the militarization of its nuclear program.
In a press release posted on X, the nation’s U.N. mission mentioned: “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.”
A day earlier, Iran’s Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei had rejected talks with the U.S., as a result of he mentioned they’d be aimed toward imposing restrictions on Iran’s missile program and its affect within the area.
Khamenei’s remarks got here a day after President Donald Trump acknowledged sending a letter to him in search of a brand new cope with Tehran to restrain its quickly advancing nuclear program and change the nuclear deal he withdrew America from throughout his first time period in workplace.
Khamenei mentioned U.S. calls for could be each navy and associated to the regional affect of Iran. He mentioned such talks wouldn’t resolve issues between Iran and the West.
Trump’s overture comes as each Israel and the USA have warned they’ll by no means let Iran purchase a nuclear weapon, resulting in fears of a navy confrontation as Tehran enriches uranium at close to weapons-grade ranges — one thing solely completed by atomic-armed nations.
Tehran has lengthy maintained its program is for peaceable functions, at the same time as its officers more and more threaten to pursue the bomb. Tensions are excessive with the U.S. over its sanctions and with Israel as a shaky ceasefire holds in its battle in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip.
The Iranian assertion Sunday, whereas permitting for talks on considerations about militarization, burdened that Tehran wouldn’t negotiate away what it stresses is its peaceable nuclear program.
“However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program to claim that what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place,” Iran’s mission mentioned.
Initially Printed: March 9, 2025 at 2:33 PM PDT
