Iranian Foreign Minister Rejects "Meaningless" Direct Negotiations with US after Trump Bomb Threat

In response to US President Donald Trump's statement that he preferred direct negotiations with Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated on Sunday that they rejected "meaningless" direct talks with the US side.

Trump last month urged Tehran to negotiate its nuclear program with Washington but threatened to "bomb" Iran if diplomatic efforts failed. On Thursday, the US president said he preferred "direct negotiations" with Iran. Trump said, "I think it is faster and you can get a better understanding of each other than going through intermediaries."

However, Zarif said on Sunday: "Direct negotiations with a party that constantly threatens to resort to force, violates the UN Charter, and whose different officials express contradictory positions are meaningless." Zarif continued in an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement, "We remain committed to diplomacy and are prepared to try the path of indirect negotiations."

Zarif declared, "Iran is prepared for all possible or potential events, just as Iran shows seriousness in diplomacy and negotiation; it will also resolutely and seriously defend its national interests and sovereignty."

Previously, Iranian President Rouhani said on Saturday that they were willing to talk with the US side "on an equal footing." He questioned the sincerity of Trump's call for negotiations, saying, "If you want to negotiate, what is the use of threats?"

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Salami spoke on the same day, stating that Iran was "prepared" for war. Salami said, "We are not worried about war at all. We will not be the initiators of war, but we are prepared for any war."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei's close advisor Larijani warned on Monday that although Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, if attacked, Iran would "have no choice but to do so."

In Washington, Trump threatened Iranian authorities in an interview with NBC last weekend, saying that if Tehran did not reach an agreement with Washington on its nuclear program, Iran would face "bombings" and secondary tariffs.

Trump said at the time when talking about the Iran issue, "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing. This will be bombing like they have never seen before." Trump noted that officials from both countries were "talking."

Source: rfi

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