Iran denies receiving Trump’s letter on nuclear negotiations
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei (L) speaks after casting his ballot during the runoff presidential election in Tehran on July 5, 2024, and US President Donald Trump (R) waves at supporters at the end of a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Nov.4, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Iran has denied receiving a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump that reportedly called for nuclear negotiations, contradicting Trump’s recent public claims about diplomatic outreach to Tehran.
“We have not received such a letter so far,” Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York said in response to questions about Trump’s statement, according to Iranian media reports.
The denial comes after Trump told Fox Business Network that he had sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with an ultimatum regarding nuclear negotiations.
“They should negotiate or the U.S. will go in militarily, which would be a terrible thing,” Trump said during the interview.
The diplomatic confusion highlights the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have escalated since Trump’s return to office in January.
Khamenei had previously banned negotiations with the Trump administration, describing it as “untrustworthy.” This stance appears unchanged in the early months of Trump’s second term.
Iranian officials have consistently rejected the possibility of talks under pressure. Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, speaking today from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, reinforced this position.
“As long as the U.S. policy of maximum pressure and threats continues, we will not enter into direct negotiations with the U.S.,” Aragchi said.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed similar sentiments, with Iranian leadership united in their refusal to negotiate while facing what they perceive as American coercion.
