US: Committed to Preventing the Islamic Republic from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Voice of America that Washington is committed to preventing the Iranian government from acquiring nuclear weapons. In response to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America regarding remarks by Massoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic's government in Iran, this spokesperson stated that President Donald Trump has "clearly said that the United States is committed to preventing [the government of] Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and has expressed willingness to discuss an agreement with Iran." This U.S. official emphasized that "the President of the United States has clearly stated that if the Iranian regime does not want an agreement, it will remain under the maximum pressure campaign that has been resumed." The U.S. State Department official also responded to a question about today's closed-door meeting of the United Nations Security Council, saying: "As part of the maximum pressure, we will regularly speak at the United Nations Security Council against the countless threats posed by [the Islamic Republic of] Iran to international peace and security." He stressed: "We are also working with our key allies to complete the restoration of UN sanctions and restrictions against [the Islamic Republic of] Iran." Massoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic's government, stated on Tuesday, referring to Donald Trump's meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, that he is not willing to negotiate. Abbas Araqchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also claimed on Wednesday, March 22, that the letter from Donald Trump, the President of the United States, "has been written and has not yet reached us," stating that "a messenger from one of the Arab countries is supposed to deliver it in Tehran." Trump announced on March 17 that he had written a letter to the leaders of the Islamic Republic and expressed hope for negotiations. The U.S. President confirmed that he sent the letter to Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, on March 16, saying: "I did not tell them that they should negotiate. I said I hope they negotiate because it would be much better for Iran." He added that "if we are forced to intervene militarily, it will be very terrible for them," and stated: "I think [the leaders of the government] will want to understand the meaning of that letter. The other option is that we have to do something; because we cannot allow them to acquire nuclear weapons."