Iran's foreign minister rejected US proposals for direct negotiations over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, days after US President Donald Trump called for face-to-face talks.
In a statement issued on April 6 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran was ready to hold indirect talks with Washington.
"Iran keeps itself prepared for all possible or expected events and, just as it is serious in diplomacy and negotiations, it will be equally decisive and serious in defending its national interests and sovereignty," he was quoted as saying.
Araghchi's comments came three days after Trump called for "direct talks" with Tehran, saying they were "faster" and offered a better understanding than using intermediaries.
Last month, Trump sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, demanding negotiations and warning of military action if diplomacy failed.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on April 5 that Tehran was ready to engage in dialogue, but only if the parties were equal.
In 2015, Iran reached a historic agreement with the United States, France, China, Russia and Britain, as well as Germany, to limit its nuclear activities.
The 2015 deal eased severe sanctions that had restricted Iran's economy.
However, during Trump's first term, the United States withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions.
Iran denies Western accusations that it is trying to create nuclear weapons, insisting that its programs have purely civilian purposes, such as generating electricity. /REL (A2 Televizion)
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