On February 25, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi stated that Iran will not conduct negotiations under "pressure, threats or sanctions".
According to reports, Araqchi held talks with the visiting Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on that day. At the joint press conference after the talks, Araqchi said that Iran is having "very close consultations" with Russia regarding the Iranian nuclear program. Iran will not negotiate under "pressure, threats or sanctions". As long as the United States continues its "maximum pressure" policy against Iran, it is impossible for Iran and the United States to have direct negotiations on the nuclear issue.
Araqchi also mentioned that during the talks, both sides reaffirmed their "unified stance" against the expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The relevant proposal of the US President is "unacceptable".
Lavrov said that the two sides had "detailed, useful and constructive" talks. Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, Russia has always believed that diplomacy is the best option to resolve the crisis.
On the 4th of this month, the US President signed a presidential memorandum, deciding to restart a series of "maximum pressure" measures against Iran implemented during his first presidential term, including measures to reduce Iran's oil export volume to "zero" in order to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The Iranian President criticized the US "maximum pressure" for undermining the basis of negotiations.
In July 2015, Iran reached a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany. Iran promised to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the international community to lift sanctions against it. In May 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and then restarted and added a series of sanctions against Iran. Since May 2019, Iran has gradually suspended the implementation of some provisions of the agreement but promised that the measures taken are "reversible".
