Iran Refuses Direct Nuclear Talks Amid Trump's Threats

Iran has dismissed direct negotiations with the United States regarding its nuclear program. This decision follows recent threats from former President Donald Trump to bomb Iran if an agreement isn't reached. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that discussions with a party that "constantly threatens the use of force" are pointless. He added that U.S. officials present contradictory positions. While open to indirect diplomatic negotiations, Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. They reject accusations of intending to develop nuclear weapons. Tensions escalated last month when Trump sent a letter proposing negotiations while imposing sanctions on Iran's oil sector and threatening military action if diplomacy failed. Trump advocated for direct talks as "faster and more efficient." President Pezeshkian, elected on a platform of resuming dialogue with the West, questioned this strategy. In 2015, Iran and the UN Security Council powers (US, China, Russia, France, UK), plus Germany, agreed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew the US from the pact in 2018 and reinstated sanctions, leading Iran to accelerate its nuclear development. Ali Larijani, advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warned that Iran might be forced to develop nuclear weapons if attacked by the United States.