Trump Calls for Talks with Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions, Warns of Military Action

U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he has reached out to Iran, urging negotiations to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. However, Tehran remains firm in its stance, refusing to engage in talks as long as Washington continues its “maximum pressure” campaign.

Trump stated that he had written directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasizing that a diplomatic solution would be in Iran’s best interest. Speaking to Fox Business, Trump warned that if Tehran refused to negotiate, military action could be on the table.

“I’ve written them a letter, saying I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them. You can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,” he asserted.

Despite Trump’s claims, Iran’s mission to the United Nations told AFP that it had not received such a letter, leaving questions about how the message was delivered.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also dismissed the possibility of talks under current U.S. policies, reiterating that “we will not enter any direct negotiations with the U.S. so long as they continue their maximum pressure policy and their threats.”

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The ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran stem from the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Negotiated under former President Barack Obama, the agreement imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

However, Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the deal in 2018, reimposing harsh economic sanctions. Initially, Iran continued to adhere to the agreement but gradually rolled back its commitments in response to U.S. actions.

Now, as Trump embarks on his second term, he has reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy, albeit reluctantly.

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Interestingly, his administration has seen a shift in personnel, sidelining officials from his first term who were closely associated with Iran policy. Trump has accused Washington’s foreign policy establishment of pushing for conflict rather than diplomacy.

In an unexpected twist, reports indicate that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk met with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations shortly after Trump’s reelection.

The meeting was reportedly meant to convey a message that Trump favors calm and diplomacy over direct confrontation. While the significance of Musk’s involvement remains unclear, it highlights ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to ease tensions.

Speaking at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Jeddah, Foreign Minister Araghchi reiterated Iran’s unwillingness to negotiate under duress.

He also dismissed the idea that Iran’s nuclear program could be dismantled through military strikes, emphasizing that “this is a technology that we have achieved, and the technology is in the brains and cannot be bombed.”