Iran willing to give diplomacy with U.S. another chance despite tensions

Iran is prepared to engage diplomatically with the United States in an effort to resolve ongoing disputes, a senior Iranian official said Wednesday, following a series of escalatory measures from the U.S. to increase pressure on Tehran. This announcement comes a day after President Donald Trump reaffirmed his “maximum pressure” strategy aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and weakening its economy.

The Iranian official indicated that Tehran is willing to give diplomacy with the Trump administration another opportunity, despite the heightened tensions, especially with Israel’s continued involvement in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, had previously downplayed U.S. concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, claiming that the issue could be resolved as Iran has no interest in developing nuclear weapons. He emphasized Tehran’s longstanding stance against weapons of mass destruction.

However, the official made it clear that Iran’s leadership is deeply concerned about Israeli activities, particularly its role in regional tensions. “Tehran is ready to engage, but it is clear that any U.S. efforts to reach an agreement with us must involve limiting Israel’s actions,” the official stated. The remarks underline Iran’s demand that the U.S. play a more active role in restraining Israeli military interventions, which have exacerbated hostilities in the region.

President Trump, in a statement posted on his Truth Social account, reiterated his preference for a nuclear deal with Iran, provided it is verifiable. His administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign, which includes severe sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s oil exports, remains a central aspect of U.S. strategy. The goal is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

Despite these pressures, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions, arguing that Iran, a resource-rich nation, is resilient and capable of managing its economy under the current circumstances. However, with Tehran’s regional influence weakened and domestic unrest growing due to the economic toll of sanctions, analysts suggest that the clerical government may have few alternatives but to seek a negotiated settlement with Washington.

The broader geopolitical landscape has shifted since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, leading to the reimposition of sanctions and Tehran’s subsequent violations of the pact. Furthermore, the recent collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has disrupted Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” a network of allied militant groups and states aimed at countering Israeli and U.S. influence in the Middle East.

While Iran remains opposed to any displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, the official emphasized that discussions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are separate from those surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and should be addressed independently.