U.S. State Department: Tehran Must Seriously Consider the Consequences of Its Actions

During a press conference following the reimposition of sanctions against Iran, the U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasized that the United States is willing to negotiate with the Iranian government, but Washington seeks Tehran's commitment to make fundamental changes in its behavior. Part of Heather Nauert's press briefing on August 7 included discussions about Iran, the return of sanctions, the nuclear agreement, and Tehran's actions in the region. Just hours before this press conference, the first phase of U.S. sanctions was implemented following Donald Trump's order. Trump stated at a ceremony that his administration's policy is 'to exert maximum economic pressure' on Iran. Nauert mentioned that her country is looking for a new agreement with Iran that addresses not only nuclear issues but also, as she described, 'the destabilizing behaviors of the Iranian government.' The State Department spokesperson explained these 'behaviors' by referring to Iran's missile program, 'the Islamic Republic's support for terrorism,' and 'destructive regional actions.' These points have been repeatedly raised by the U.S. government in recent months since Trump's administration took office, and Iran has denied them. One of Trump's criticisms of the nuclear agreement during Barack Obama's presidency was that the 'JCPOA' did not curb Iran's other behaviors. Conversely, Obama, the former U.S. president, criticized Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA, stating that the nuclear agreement 'significantly rolled back Tehran's nuclear program' and that the JCPOA was not intended to resolve all of America's problems with Iran. Trump has described this agreement as 'one of the most flawed deals' he has seen. The U.S. State Department spokesperson stated on Tuesday that the United States is willing to engage in discussions with the Iranian government but is seeking Tehran's commitment to make fundamental changes in its behavior: 'Iran must seriously consider the consequences of its actions; the consequences that these behaviors have on the country, and particularly on the people of Iran. They (the Iranian government) must correct their course moving forward.' Nauert also stated that the reason for the anger of the Iranian people over the past years is that the Iranian government has decided to spend money that should be used for its people on destabilizing behaviors in the region. The U.S. State Department spokesperson said that from her government's perspective, economic sanctions prevent Tehran's actions and behaviors, and Washington prioritizes the use of sanctions over other tools. Trump had previously stated that he is willing to sit down for talks with the Iranian president without preconditions. Following that, the U.S. Secretary of State said that if the Iranians demonstrate their commitment to making fundamental changes in how they treat their people, reduce their destructive behavior in the region, and enter into an agreement that genuinely prevents the proliferation of nuclear weapons, then the president is ready to sit down and talk with them. Yesterday, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, responded to the U.S. president's proposal for a meeting, stating that Tehran is 'not afraid of negotiations' but that 'it is unlikely Trump is willing to negotiate.'