"Trump needs to read the history of Iran again"
Tehran is not going to engage in a dialogue on its nuclear program under pressure from Washington. Kazem Jalali, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia, said this in an interview with Izvestia. According to him, Moscow and Tehran are in regular contact on this issue. The diplomat said that Russia plays an important role in finding a balanced solution to the nuclear deal, and cooperation between the two countries is at a high level. At the same time, the Iranian authorities do not record changes in US approaches to the nuclear dossier, the head of the diplomatic mission added at a press conference organized by Russia Today dedicated to the International Day of Al-Quds. What really hinders the progress of negotiations with the United States is in the diplomat's exclusive interview with Izvestia.
"Russia plays an important role in resolving nuclear dossier issues"
— Does Iran trust Russia as an intermediary in contacts with the United States on nuclear issues?
— We do not believe that the main problem of the nuclear dossier is mediation. Russia is a full participant in the negotiation process, it has always been part of the five—party format, and after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, it remained among the countries in the 4+1 format. We have ongoing consultations with Russia.
The Iranian dossier was discussed at the Russian-American talks in Riyadh on February 18, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said. According to him, it was decided at the meeting to hold separate negotiations on this topic. Bloomberg previously reported that Russia, in response to a request from the United States, agreed to mediate in negotiations on the nuclear deal. In addition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted during his visit to Tehran that Moscow is determined to continue searching for acceptable solutions to the current situation.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi at a joint press conference after a meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue.
— Could you tell us about these contacts?
— As you know, a trilateral meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Russia, China and Iran was recently held in Beijing. They held a consultation on this issue, and a joint statement was issued. In addition, our ambassadors in Vienna regularly exchange views. Russia plays an important role in resolving nuclear dossier issues and finding a balanced solution, and cooperation between our countries is at a very good level.
"The Iranian people have never entered into negotiations because of threats and pressure"
— The Iranian leadership has repeatedly stated that there will be no return to the nuclear deal under the policy of maximum pressure from the United States. In your opinion, are there any signs of a change in the American approach?
— Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made it clear that as long as the United States talks to us in the language of threats and pressure, there can be no talk of negotiations. The Americans are trying to demonstrate their willingness to engage in dialogue, but these are just words. In practice, they continue to take harsh unilateral actions. This is unacceptable and unacceptable for us. There is no sincerity in their actions. That's what our supreme leader said.
Regarding your question about the US approaches, so far we have not seen any signs of changes. If they ever change their approach and start talking to us on the basis of respect and equality, then we will act and make decisions.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The nuclear deal was signed in 2015 by Iran, Russia, the United States, Britain, France, China and Germany. It assumed the lifting of anti-Iranian sanctions in exchange for Tehran's limitation of its nuclear program. However, in 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), reimposing American sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran began phasing out a number of its obligations under the agreement. First, he suspended the sale of excess enriched uranium and heavy water to other countries, and also exceeded the 300 kg limit on low-enriched uranium reserves.
— According to media reports, US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to the Iranian leadership stating a two-month deadline for reaching a new deal. How does Tehran assess such an ultimatum?
— Supreme Leader, our President Masoud Peseshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi regularly comment on such claims. Our position has been clearly formulated by the country's leadership: the Iranian people are not the people who will enter into negotiations under threats. If a person knows the history of Iran's civilization, then he understands that the Iranian people have never entered into negotiations because of threats and pressure.
US President Donald Trump
— Under what circumstances can the situation on the nuclear dossier change for the better?
— Mr. Trump needs to read the history of Iran again to get to know the Iranian people. We have been living under pressure and sanctions for 45 years, and if we wanted to give up, we would have done it a long time ago. But we stand and resist. President Trump needs to change the language of communication and learn to speak respectfully to Iran. US attempts to sow a rift between the people and the government are doomed to failure. This is also a big mistake on their part, because our government relies on the will of the people.
So they will have to change their policies and their approach. The US strategy is to use soft words on the one hand and take tough actions on the other. This is wrong about Iran. There will be no progress until Washington understands this and changes its approach.
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