Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Wednesday that the United States’ renewed “maximum pressure” policy against Iran would end in failure, just as it did during former President Donald Trump’s first term.
“Maximum pressure is a failed experiment, and trying it again will only lead to another failure,” Araghchi told reporters after a cabinet meeting, emphasizing that Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
During his first term, which ended in 2021, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers, and reimposed heavy sanctions. While Iran initially adhered to the deal, it began rolling back its commitments a year after Washington’s withdrawal. Efforts to revive the 2015 agreement have since stalled.
On Tuesday, Trump signed an order reinstating the “maximum pressure” campaign, citing concerns over Iran’s alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied these claims, insisting its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.
“If the issue is ensuring Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, that is easily achievable and not a major problem,” Araghchi said.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a longstanding fatwa prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear agency chief Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, stating, “Iran does not have, and will not have, a nuclear weapons program.”
In January, ahead of Trump’s return to office, Iranian officials held nuclear talks with representatives from Britain, France, and Germany. Both sides described the discussions as “frank and constructive.”
Iranian diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi recently indicated that another round of negotiations was expected within a month, though no date had been confirmed.
