Latest Developments
Iran Sends Response to Trump Letter: Iran responded on March 27 to a letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month proposing fresh talks between the two countries over a nuclear deal. In the letter, Trump reportedly warned the Islamic Republic that “there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on March 12 that “the invitation to negotiate … is a deception of public opinion.”
Position Unwavering: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Tehran’s position “is to not negotiate directly while there is maximum pressure policy and threats of military strikes.” Kamal Kharrazi, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said earlier that “the Islamic Republic has not closed all doors,” clarifying that Tehran is “ready for indirect talks with the United States in order to evaluate the other party, state its own conditions, and make the appropriate decision.”
Trump’s 2-Month Notice: In his letter, Trump reportedly gave Khamenei two months to reach a nuclear deal with the United States or face potential military consequences. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 16 that Iran needs to verifiably relinquish all aspects of its nuclear program, including its missile program, weaponization efforts, and uranium enrichment activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which acts as the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, reported on February 26 that Iran possessed enough 60 percent enriched uranium, which is close to weapons grade, for nearly seven nuclear weapons.
FDD Expert Response
“Iran hopes to rope the Trump administration into fruitless talks to evade U.S. maximum pressure sanctions and even postpone the snapback of international sanctions in October. The administration must stick to its ultimatum: Tehran must verifiably dismantle its enrichment, weaponization, and missile delivery programs. Trump should agree to enter into negotiations only if the regime accepts from the outset, and takes actions on the ground to prove, that an agreement will achieve all those objectives.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow
“Iran is using the excuse of ‘Maximum Pressure’ to avoid direct talks with the United States, while offering indirect talks to blunt economic sanctions and remove the military option from the US and Israeli docket. Keen to avoid negotiating from a position of weakness, Tehran is also stepping up its nuclear and missile programs to bolster its deterrence and cement the image of a costly war. The real art of the deal here will be to make the regime understand that unless it agrees to the United States’ terms, things will only get worse over time.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
FDD Background and Analysis
“‘Maximum Pressure’: Iran’s Rial Hits Record Low Due to U.S. Sanctions,” FDD Flash Brief
“Trump Reportedly Gives Iran Two-Month Deadline to Negotiate Nuclear Deal,” FDD Flash Brief
“‘All Options are on the Table’: U.S. Reaffirms Call for Iran’s Complete Nuclear Disarmament,” FDD Flash Brief
“Crushing Iran’s oil trade: The path to maximum pressure,” by Mark Dubowitz and Saeed Ghasseminejad
Issues:
Biodefense International Organizations Iran Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation