Iran's Foreign Minister: Trump's Letter to Khamenei is More of a Threat; We Will Respond

Iran's Foreign Minister says the Islamic Republic will respond in the coming days to the letter from the U.S. President to Ali Khamenei, which he claims has 'more of a threatening nature.' Abbas Araghchi stated on Thursday, March 20, during a special Nowruz program on Islamic Republic television, that Donald Trump in this letter 'claims there are opportunities as well.' He added that the Islamic Republic will consider both aspects of 'threat and opportunity' in its response and will send the letter through 'appropriate means' in the coming days. The Iranian Foreign Minister did not provide further details about the content and tone of the letter or the method of sending Iran's response. Prior to Araghchi's remarks, Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the government of Masoud Bezgian, said that Trump's letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic is 'under review' and that a 'substantive response' will be provided at an appropriate time and in a manner deemed suitable. She emphasized that 'there is currently no plan to disclose the content of Trump's letter.' Axios reported that Trump, in his letter to Iran, has given a two-month deadline for a nuclear agreement. Two weeks ago, the U.S. President announced in an interview with Fox News that he had sent a letter to Ali Khamenei proposing direct negotiations. An American official and two sources familiar with the content of the U.S. President's letter to Iran told Axios that Trump has given Tehran a two-month deadline to reach a new nuclear agreement with Washington. According to Axios on March 20, it is still unclear whether this two-month deadline starts from the time the letter was delivered or from the start of negotiations; 'however, if Iran rejects this offer and does not enter negotiations, the likelihood of military action by the U.S. or Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities will significantly increase.' The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic stated the day after Trump announced he had sent a letter to him that Iran would not negotiate with 'bullying governments.' Masoud Bezgian, the President of Iran, also reacted to Trump's statements about sending a letter to Tehran for negotiations, saying he is not willing to negotiate with him due to Trump's threats. He stated that 'it is unacceptable for him that the U.S. threatens and orders him,' addressing Trump during a meeting with members of the 'Iranian Entrepreneurs Assembly,' saying: 'I will not come to negotiate with you at all, do whatever you want.'