Tehran: Iran will provide a response to a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump following a complete review, as stated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei. This announcement was made during a weekly press briefing in Tehran, nearly a week after Iran received the letter. President Trump had disclosed on March 7 that he had sent a letter to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, expressing a willingness to negotiate, while continuing his 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei emphasized that Iran does not plan to disclose the contents of the letter, noting that media reports are largely speculative. He stated that the letter's context mirrors Trump's public statements. Iran intends to respond through appropriate channels once the review is concluded. Baqaei dismissed any link between the letter and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's pre-scheduled visit to Oman.
Baqaei highlighted the U.S.'s contradictory messages, pointing out that while Washington claims readiness for negotiations, it also imposes sanctions on Iran. He stressed the importance of mutual respect in diplomatic negotiations and criticized the U.S. for using talks for political gain rather than resolving issues.
The spokesperson condemned recent U.S. airstrikes on Yemen and threats against Iran, warning of firm responses to any aggression. He accused the U.S. of attributing Yemeni resistance to external influences and violating international laws. Baqaei called for international action against the U.S.'s actions in Yemen.
Iran continues its diplomatic efforts with Araqchi's visit to Oman, a trilateral meeting with Russia and China in Beijing, and talks with the IAEA in Vienna. Baqaei described the Iran-Russia-China meeting as a step toward promoting multilateralism and supporting international law.
Baqaei also criticized the U.S. for expelling the South African ambassador over support for Palestinian resistance, viewing it as a violation of diplomatic rights and freedom of expression. He condemned the U.S.'s travel bans on nationals from Muslim countries, labeling them as acts of racism and hostility towards Iran.
The spokesperson addressed Iran's ongoing legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice against the U.S. over frozen Iranian assets, and expressed concern over recent developments in Syria, linking them to Israeli interests.
Regarding the IAEA, Baqaei warned against politicized approaches that could harm bilateral cooperation. He reaffirmed Iran's commitment to the JCPOA, criticizing Europe for failing to uphold commitments after the U.S. withdrawal and warning of the consequences of the snapback mechanism.
Finally, Baqaei responded to U.S. threats to reduce Iran's oil exports, citing a history of anti-Iran measures and asserting the Iranian nation's resolve to overcome challenges.