Khamenei's Advisor Says Islamic Republic Ready to Begin Indirect Negotiations with the U.S.

Following the remarks of the Iranian Foreign Minister about adopting a strategy of indirect negotiations with the Trump administration, Ali Khamenei's advisor announced that Tehran is ready to start these negotiations. Kamal Kharrazi, advisor to Ali Khamenei and head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, stated that the Islamic Republic has not closed all avenues for resolving disputes with the United States and is prepared to initiate indirect negotiations with America. According to IRNA news agency, Kharrazi said on Thursday, April 7, that Tehran is 'ready for indirect negotiations to assess the other side, announce its conditions, and make appropriate decisions.' This comes as senior officials of the Islamic Republic have so far responded negatively to Donald Trump's threats, who has stated that Tehran must either agree or face military consequences. Khamenei himself has called Trump's messages 'deceptive,' and Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, initially stated that negotiations would not be possible as long as the U.S. 'maximum pressure' policy continues. However, Araqchi recently indicated in an interview that Khamenei sees no logical reason for direct negotiations, and that Tehran's approach is to engage in indirect negotiations with the Trump administration. Kharrazi also described the U.S. positions as 'bullying' and stated, 'They think they can drag us into negotiations where the outcome is predetermined,' while emphasizing that 'the Islamic Republic has not closed all doors and is ready for indirect negotiations with the United States.' These statements come as Tehran is expected to soon respond to a letter recently sent by the U.S. President to Ali Khamenei. Araqchi mentioned last week that both Trump's threats and existing opportunities would be considered in this response. Donald Trump, during his first term (2017 to 2021), withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA, which had imposed severe restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions. Following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and the re-imposition of extensive sanctions, the Iranian government gradually stepped back from its commitments and is now enriching uranium far beyond the limits of the agreement. Western powers accuse Iran of secretly attempting to acquire the capability to build nuclear weapons, claiming that the level of enriched uranium purity exceeds what is necessary for a civilian nuclear energy program. However, Tehran insists that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and aimed at energy supply. Just two days ago, the annual report of U.S. intelligence agencies was released, stating that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and that the Supreme Leader has not revisited the weapons program he suspended in 2003. This report, which assessed threats against the U.S. and was published on Tuesday, April 5, also indicates that Khamenei is 'probably under pressure' to resume the nuclear weapons program. U.S. intelligence agencies consider the Supreme Leader to be the final decision-maker regarding Iran's nuclear program, stating that any decision regarding the development of nuclear weapons will also be made by him.