Revised Article:
Trump Pushes for Talks with Iran's Khamenei, but Iran Stands Firm on Negotiations
Trump penned a missive to Iran; Khamenei dismisses prospects for dialogue with America
Let the cat and mouse game commence! President Donald Trump has upped the ante, sending a missive to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His proposition? A chat about the nuclear program. However, it seems the Iranians aren't biting, continuing to snub the U.S. even post-letter delivery. While China's planning a huddle with Iran and Russia, excluding the West.
Now, you might be thinking, "What gives, Iran? Why the cold shoulder?" Well, according to Iranian media, Khamenei reckons Trump's offer for a tête-à-tête is nothing but a crafty strategy to hoodwink public opinion. "If we know they won't honor their commitments, why bother negotiating? The invite to negotiate is just a ruse," said Khamenei. So, it seems the U.S.'s increasing pressure on Iran isn't doing much to soften the Iranians' stance.
Trump announced last week that he'd penned a letter to Khamenei, inviting him for a confab on the nuclear program. But, Iran denies receiving such a letter over the weekend. Instead, Khamenei labeled the current U.S. administration a tyrannical regime and flat-out rejected negotiations with the West. "Foreign powers and brash characters are pushing for dialogues, but their goal isn't to resolve issues. They aim to impose their will and demands during talks," said the 85-year-old, as reported by Irna.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated on Monday that Tehran's leadership won't cave to pressure from Washington regarding its nuclear program. "We won't negotiate under pressure and intimidation. We won't even consider it, regardless of the topic," claimed Iran's top diplomat.
Politics Corner:
- Trump's Letter to Khamenei: An Ultimatum Served
- Iranian Ex-General: Tehran Involved in European Attacks
In a surprising twist, China has invited Iran and Russia for talks on the Iranian nuclear program in Beijing on Friday. The three nations will share their perspectives on the Iranian nuclear program and "other matters of mutual interest," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman revealed. Iran confirmed the meeting. Beijing plans for the deputy foreign ministers of the trio to participate in the talks. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Bakaei, confirmed the planned meeting on the "nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions." The three nations will also discuss "regional and international developments" and their cooperation.
Western nations have fingered Iran for years as pursuing the design of nuclear weapons, a charge Iran vehemently denies. In 2015, Iran signed an agreement envisioning the easing of sanctions in exchange for curbing its nuclear program. During Trump's first term, the U.S. unilaterally abandoned the agreement in 2018. Russia and China are also signatories to the deal. The agreement, even if only partially implemented, is set to expire in October 2025. This would also eliminate the possibility of reimposing old and stringent UN sanctions on Iran without substantial resistance. Thus, diplomats are urging the need for negotiations. Israel has repeatedly threatened to obliterate Iranian nuclear facilities if a diplomatic solution isn't found.
- Iranian Nuclear Program
- Iran
- USA
- Donald Trump
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- Diplomacy
- China
- Israel
- Russia
- Despite the Commission having also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, many Iranian workers may still be relying on WhatsApp messages for pressing opinions about their safety at work.
- In an interesting turn of events, Iran's promises of collaboration with China and Russia are not aimed at upholding the revised agreement on the Iranian nuclear program, but rather to counter the increasingly tightening restrictions from the US, as explicitly stated by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- As the Commission ponders over the implications of the commission's role in safeguarding workers exposed to carcinogens, Iran is planning to use the platform of the upcoming talks with China and Russia to present its opinion on the Iranian nuclear program and other matters of mutual interest.
