Iran has responded to Trump's letter via Oman: Foreign minister

ISTANBUL

Iran has sent its response to a letter from US President Donald Trump via Oman, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Thursday.

“Iran’s official response has been sent through the appropriate channel and via Oman,” Araqchi told the Iranian news agency IRNA.

“The official response comprises a letter wherein our viewpoints regarding the status quo and Mr. Trump’s letter have been fully laid out and relayed to the other side,” he said.

Araqchi reiterated Iran’s opposition to direct talks with the US amid Trump’s “maximum pressure campaign.”

“Iran’s policy is to engage in indirect negotiations as long as the Islamic Republic is subjected to maximum pressure and military threats.

“Indirect negotiations, though, can continue, as they existed in the past,” he said.

Earlier this month, Trump said he sent a letter to Iran’s leadership to negotiate a nuclear deal.

"I said I hope you're going to negotiate because it's going to be a lot better for Iran," he said, before warning Tehran of potential military action.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced what he called “bullying tactics” after Trump’s threats.

"The insistence of some bullying powers on holding talks with Iran does not aim to solve issues but rather aims to assert and impose their own expectations,” said Khamenei. "Absolutely, the Islamic Republic will not accept their expectations."

In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Despite complying with the nuclear agreement for over a year after the US withdrawal, Iran gradually reduced its commitments, citing the failure of the deal’s remaining signatories to protect its interests.