Iran weighing opportunities and threats in Trump’s Deal

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, reported on March 20th by The New Arab, that Iran is currently weighing both the ‘opportunities’ and the threats presented in US President Donald Trump’s letter, which outlines terms for a new nuclear deal.

While Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected the letter, describing it as deceptive and threatening, Araqchi highlighted that Tehran is carefully reviewing both the threats and potential opportunities in its response.

“Trump’s letter was more of a threat, but it also claims to present opportunities. We have paid attention to all points raised in the letter, and we will consider both the threats and opportunities in our reply,” Araqchi said.

“There is an opportunity behind every menace,” he said.

Axios reported on March 19th that Trump’s letter set a two-month deadline for Iran to reach a new nuclear deal, warning that if the deadline is not met, Tehran would face stricter sanctions under the US President’s renewed “maximum pressure” campaign.

Araqchi confirmed that Iran will respond to the letter, weighing the opportunities and threats, in the coming days through appropriate channels, reiterating that Tehran rejects direct negotiations as long as Washington maintains its “pressure, threats, and sanctions.”

In 2018, President Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, which had imposed strict limitations on Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Since the US withdrawal and the re-imposition of sanctions, Iran has exceeded the limits set in the agreement in its nuclear development.

Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and affirms its commitment to international law.

The New Arab, Axios