Iran said it had given a "restrained" response to a letter from US President Donald Trump proposing direct negotiations on a new nuclear deal, while Tehran continues to insist on indirect negotiations.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on March 27 that Iran had delivered an official written response to Trump via Oman, claiming that Tehran would not hold direct negotiations as long as Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign was in effect.
"This official response includes a letter in which our position regarding the current situation and Mr. Trump's letter is fully explained to the other party," Araqchi said.
Trump's letter was delivered to Iran by an Emirati official on March 12. Some observers claim that Iran's decision to respond through Oman was a result of concerns about relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Others, however, pointed to Trump's relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Washington would inform Israel of the contents of the Iranian letter.
Reports say Trump's letter included a proposal for direct negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and threats of severe consequences if no deal is reached. Washington has not ruled out the possibility of air strikes on Iran's nuclear program.
Indirect conversations are prohibited.
Ali Shamhani, a top adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tehran's response was "restrained."
"The letter said that Iran is ready for indirect negotiations and if the talks are held on an equal basis, there is a readiness to take further steps for negotiations," said Shamhani, a former national security adviser.
Ali Vaez, director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, says Tehran's insistence on indirect negotiations will not go down well in Washington.
"Trump has no interest in indirect negotiations," Vaez told Radio Farda. "Any indirect negotiations through intermediaries, no matter how well they progress, will be vulnerable."
Hossein Mousaviyan, a former Iranian ambassador to Germany, wrote on X that he believed Iran had given an "ambiguous response" and "addressed all the key points in Trump's letter."
Vaez, however, criticized Iran's negotiating tactics, claiming that decision-makers in Tehran "have no understanding" of how Trump operates.
"You can't be ambiguous with Trump and his representatives. This kind of diplomacy doesn't work with this administration," he said, adding that Iran needs to make a clear proposal for direct talks.
"The Iranian approach is a waste of time, and at worst, it will lead us to a dead end where you can no longer find a peaceful solution," Vaez said.
The Islamic republic insists its nuclear program is peaceful, but there are growing calls among hardliners for it to be turned into a weapon.
Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran during his first term, arguing that it did not go far enough to contain the Iranian threat, such as limiting its missile program and ending support for its regional proxies.
Iran says it is willing to discuss lifting US sanctions, but has categorically ruled out talks on its missile program and regional activities.
Bonus video:
