Iran refuses to engage in negotiations with the United States amid the “maximum pressure” campaign, viewing such discussions as submissions rather than genuine negotiations. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that talks cannot proceed with simultaneous sanctions, echoing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s warnings against engaging with Washington. The backdrop includes the fallout from the 2015 nuclear accord and recent US sanctions on Iranian oil shipments.
Iran has firmly stated that it will not enter into negotiations with the United States under the prevailing “maximum pressure” policy instituted by the previous Trump administration. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that such talks would equate to surrender, arguing that negotiations for the lifting of sanctions should not occur under coercive conditions.
Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position, stating, “Iran does not wish to negotiate with a country that imposes new sanctions at the same time.” This statement aligns with recent comments from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who warned against engaging in talks with Washington, deeming it a “reckless” move due to past US failures to honor agreements with Iran.
The backdrop of these tensions includes Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers, which was intended to limit its nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanction relief. However, in 2018, former President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reinstated severe economic sanctions, despite dissent from European allies.
During a recent statement, Trump reiterated his support for a peaceful resolution with Iran, yet maintained that the nation must not develop nuclear weaponry. Concurrently, the US Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions aimed at disrupting a global network linked to the shipment of Iranian oil to China.
The ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States largely stem from the reversal of the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), following Trump’s withdrawal. This led to an escalation in sanctions, which Iran perceives as an affront to its sovereignty and a barrier to meaningful negotiations. The concept of “maximum pressure” illustrates the US strategy of enforcing sanctions to compel Iran into compliance, an approach that Iran categorically rejects. Recent developments, including new sanctions on Iranian oil shipments, further complicate the diplomatic landscape between the two nations.
Iran’s steadfast refusal to negotiate under the constraints of the US “maximum pressure” campaign illustrates its commitment to resisting perceived coercion. The statements from Deputy Foreign Minister Araghchi and Supreme Leader Khamenei emphasize the importance of mutual respect in diplomacy. As sanctions continue to mount, prospects for renewed negotiations remain bleak, highlighting the challenges ahead for both nations in achieving a diplomatic resolution.
Original Source: shafaq.com
