Iran said on Monday that it would not enter into negotiations with the United States (US) over its disputed nuclear program under what it said was "pressure and intimidation" from Washington.
US President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Tehran by revoking a sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to buy electricity from its neighbor.
"We will not negotiate under pressure and intimidation. We will not even consider it," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on the X network.
Araghchi's statement came a day after Iran's mission to the United Nations struck a more conciliatory tone, saying Tehran could be open to talks aimed at addressing concerns about the potential militarization of its nuclear program.
"If the goal of the negotiations is to address concerns regarding the potential militarization of Iran's nuclear program, such talks could be considered," the Iranian mission said in a statement on Sunday.
Araghchi, however, appeared to close the door to such talks, stating that Tehran has a peaceful nuclear program and that "there is no such thing as its 'potential militarization'."
In his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the terms of the deal. Trump has said the terms of the deal are not strong enough to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has renewed the "maximum pressure" campaign that was the basis of his policy toward Tehran during his first term, with the goal of reducing Iranian oil exports to "zero." Experts say it is unlikely that the U.S. will be able to completely stop oil sales to Iran, but it could significantly reduce them.
The US State Department said on Sunday that the decision not to renew sanctions waivers for Iraq was made to "ensure that we do not allow Iran any degree of economic or financial relief."
Iranian supplies cover a third of Iraq's gas and electricity, providing Tehran with significant revenue.
The White House warned Tehran on Sunday that it would resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear program either militarily or by reaching an agreement, hours after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected a US proposal for talks between the two countries.
"We hope that the Iranian regime is putting its people and best interests ahead of terror," White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement on Sunday.
In an interview with Fox Business recorded on March 6, Trump said, "There are two ways to deal with Iran: militarily or you make a deal" to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Khamenei, speaking to a group of Iranian officials on Saturday, said the US offer for negotiations was "not aimed at solving problems" but at "imposing" demands on Tehran.
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