Iran welcomes further talks with Europe as deadlock with US persists

Iran seeks to continue talks with European powers, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday, even as the prospect for negotiations with the United States dimmed.

Abbas Araghchi, attending the 8th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting in Muscat, Oman, on Monday, made the remarks during a meeting with Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart, the Swiss special envoy for the Middle East and North Africa.

US President Donald Trump reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy on Iran earlier this month, aiming to force Tehran to abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Washington is expected to tighten enforcement of economic sanctions, further straining Iran's economy, which is already grappling with high inflation, energy shortages, and declining oil export revenues.

Araghchi also expressed Tehran’s readiness to continue diplomatic meetings with Germany, France and the United Kingdom that began late last year, aiming to find solutions for the deadlock in relations with the West.

The three European powers are original signatories of the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement.

The Swiss envoy underscored the importance of ongoing bilateral discussions with Iran on a range of regional and bilateral issues.

He reaffirmed his willingness and readiness to continue dialogue and consultations, including during the next round of talks in Tehran.

Iranian officials have been emphasizing that Trump should change his tone regarding Iran and not issue threats if he wants to open talks with Tehran. Araghchi on Monday repeated that position also during another meeting.

"Iran’s position is clear and explicit: We will not negotiate under pressure and threats," Araghchi told reporters in Tehran after a meeting with his Sudanese counterpart.

Although Trump reinstated his policy of strict sanctions enforcement, he also extended an offer to meet with his Iranian counterpart. However, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected the possibility of negotiations earlier this month.