Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has stated that Iran is open to negotiations with the US regarding its nuclear program, provided the talks are based on mutual respect. This comes after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was seeking a meeting, although Trump also suggested that the ongoing crackdown on protesters in Iran could derail such discussions. Araghchi, while confirming open communication lines with the US, noted that American messages are often contradictory.
The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, reiterated that communication channels with the US remain open, but highlighted that messages from the US are frequently inconsistent. Araghchi, in his first public remarks following Trump's statements, did not deviate from Iran's established position that any talks must be founded on respect, especially in light of past actions, including alleged bombings of Iranian nuclear installations by the US and Israel. He also asserted that the situation within Iran has been brought under complete control following a severe crackdown on widespread anti-government protests, which have been ongoing for 16 days.
Trump speculated that Iran's willingness to negotiate stems from being "tired of being beat up by the United States." However, he also expressed concern that the crackdown on protests, which may have resulted in unintended deaths, could be a red line. Trump indicated that military intervention options for Iran were under serious consideration, with an administration strategy meeting scheduled to discuss them. He also mentioned plans to discuss restoring internet access in Iran, which has been largely shut down for four days, using Elon Musk's Starlink service.
The article suggests that Trump's claims, if accurate, point to internal debates within Iran about the necessity of lifting US sanctions through a nuclear deal, as economic problems, fueled by sanctions, are seen as the root cause of the protests. However, there is no indication that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or the hardline parliament support such negotiations. Araghchi criticized Trump's support for the protest movement as interference in Iran's internal affairs and denied any intention of seeking war, while asserting readiness to respond to aggression. A meeting between Araghchi and Oman's foreign minister, a key mediator, also took place. The article notes that if negotiations were indeed initiated, Trump's public comments might make them less likely to succeed due to potential political backlash in Iran over talks with a nation perceived to have acted duplicitously. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had acknowledged the protests and the need for economic reforms, but is unlikely to sway the supreme leader or security services.