Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives a speech in Tehran, Iran on July 21, 2024. [IRANIAN LEADER PRESS OFFICE – Anadolu Agency]
Iran will respond to US President Donald Trump’s invitation to talks after proper scrutiny, the Foreign Ministry said today, accusing Washington of not matching actions with words, Reuters reports.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian have rejected Trump’s letter and public exhortations for nuclear talks as deceptive and bullying.
But Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said a diplomatic response was in the works.
“So far, we have no reason to publicise [Trump’s] letter… Our response to this letter will be done through appropriate channels after full scrutiny,” Baghaei said.
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The Iranian spokesperson noted contradictory signals from Washington which was voicing readiness for talks while also applying new sanctions on Tehran’s economy.
“Diplomatic negotiations have etiquette in that each side must recognise the other’s interests and, more importantly, believe in fulfilling their commitments,” Baghaei added during a televised press conference.
“The US does not respect that and uses the possibility of negotiations as a propaganda and political tool.”
In his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers that had placed strict limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Tehran says the development of its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and that it respects its commitments under international law.
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