Iran Open to Negotiations with US, but Rejects “Maximum Pressure” Approach

Iran has expressed its readiness to negotiate with the United States, but has stated it will not do so under a policy of “maximum pressure,” a strategy previously employed by the US administration, Al Jazeera reports.

This statement comes amid renewed tensions, following the recent reinstatement of sanctions by the US and calls for a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that “the lifting of sanctions requires negotiations, but not within the framework of a ‘maximum pressure’ policy, because it would not be a negotiation but a form of surrender.” He emphasized Iran’s position against negotiating while facing ongoing economic pressure from the US.

“Iran does not want to negotiate with a country that is simultaneously imposing new sanctions,” Araghchi said.

The statement follows comments from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who advises the government against negotiating with the US, citing past experiences.

Khamenei referenced the 2015 nuclear deal, a multilateral agreement between Iran, the US, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia. The deal aimed to regulate Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of international sanctions. In 2018, the US withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and denies any intentions of developing nuclear weapons.

The US recently reinstated the “maximum pressure” policy, with Washington announcing financial sanctions last week against entities and individuals accused of facilitating the shipment of Iranian crude oil to China.