Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) that the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate the “maximum pressure” policy against Iran is destined to fail, just like it did during his first term.
“I believe that the maximum pressure approach is a failed experiment and repeating it will only lead to another failure,” Mr. Araghchi told reporters after a cabinet meeting, emphasizing that Tehran has no intentions of developing nuclear weapons.
During his previous term that concluded in 2021, Mr. Trump implemented a strategy of “maximum pressure” against Iran, pulling the United States out of a significant nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers, and reapplying severe sanctions.
The agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.
Iran adhered to the terms of the agreement until a year after the U.S. withdrawal, after which it began to gradually withdraw from its commitments. Efforts to revive the 2015 deal have encountered obstacles.
On Tuesday (February 4, 2025), Mr. Trump signed an order reinstating the “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, citing allegations that the country is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran refutes any such claims, asserting that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
“If the main concern is that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, that is achievable and not a significant issue,” Mr. Araghchi remarked.
A longstanding religious decree, or fatwa, issued by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in all state matters, prohibits Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday (February 5, 2025), Iran’s nuclear agency chief Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed that his country remains committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, stating that “Iran does not have, and will not have a nuclear weapons program.”
In January, prior to Mr. Trump’s return to the White House, Iranian officials engaged in nuclear discussions with counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany.
Both sides characterized the talks as “open and constructive.”
Earlier this month, Iranian diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi mentioned that a new round of talks was anticipated to take place “within a month,” although the specific date has not been confirmed yet.
Published – February 05, 2025 11:08 pm IST
