Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to reimpose the “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, calling it a failed strategy. Araghchi emphasized that this approach, which was pursued during Trump’s first term and led to the U.S. withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, will ultimately fail again if repeated.
The policy of “maximum pressure” involved the reimposition of harsh sanctions after the U.S. pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark agreement that placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. While Iran initially adhered to the agreement, it began rolling back its commitments after the U.S. withdrew.
Trump’s recent reinstatement of the “maximum pressure” policy is based on allegations that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, an accusation Tehran denies, asserting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has long maintained a religious decree that prohibits the country from pursuing nuclear weapons.
Araghchi argued that if the concern is that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, it is an issue that could easily be addressed. Iran’s nuclear agency chief Mohammad Eslami also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, reiterating that Iran does not and will not pursue nuclear weapons.
Despite the renewed pressure from the U.S., Iran has continued diplomatic efforts, including talks with European countries to revive the JCPOA. However, the future of these negotiations remains uncertain, with no confirmed dates for further discussions.
