Iran signals openness to Trump, urges rethinking of “maximum pressure” policy

Iran to Trump: Change policy of ‘max pressure’

Iran has signaled a willingness to engage with former President Donald Trump, urging him to reassess his approach towards the Islamic Republic following accusations from Washington of Tehran’s involvement in a plot to assassinate him. In a statement on Saturday, Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif called on Trump to abandon the “maximum pressure” strategy that defined his first term and adopt a new, more constructive policy.

“Trump must show that he is not following the wrong policies of the past,” Zarif told reporters. He added that the former president’s previous actions had only escalated tensions, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Zarif, a seasoned diplomat who played a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, including the United States, criticized Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw from the agreement in 2018. This move led to the reimposition of harsh sanctions on Iran, which Zarif said were counterproductive.

In response to the US sanctions, Iran progressively scaled back its commitments under the nuclear deal, enriching uranium to levels far beyond the limits set in the accord. Tehran’s enrichment program now stands at 60 percent purity, which is just 30 percent short of weapons-grade material. While Iran has repeatedly denied accusations that it seeks to develop a nuclear weapon, the growing enrichment levels have raised alarms among Western countries.

Zarif argued that Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign was a major factor in Iran’s decision to ramp up its nuclear enrichment activities. “He must have realized that the maximum pressure policy he initiated caused Iran’s enrichment to rise from 3.5 percent to 60 percent,” Zarif said. “As a man of calculation, he should do the math and see what the advantages and disadvantages of this policy have been, and whether he wants to continue or change this harmful policy.”

The tensions between the US and Iran reached a boiling point during Trump’s tenure, particularly after he ordered the targeted killing of General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, in January 2020. The drone strike, which took place in Baghdad, sparked widespread anger in Iran and further deteriorated relations between the two countries.

In a separate statement on Thursday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei expressed hope that the incoming US administration would reconsider the policies of the past, though he refrained from directly mentioning Trump by name.

Trump, for his part, has indicated that he is not seeking to escalate tensions with Iran. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he stated, “I’m not looking to do damage to Iran. My terms are very easy. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. I’d like them to be a very successful country.”

Trump’s comments came as he prepared for his return to the White House following his victory in the recent presidential election. His second term could mark a turning point in US-Iran relations, though concerns remain over the broader geopolitical implications of his policies.

Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and its regional rival, Israel, have intensified, with both nations engaging in direct attacks. These clashes, combined with the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, have raised fears of a broader regional escalation.

As Trump begins his second term, Zarif and other Iranian officials have suggested that now is the time for a reset in relations, urging the US to reconsider its stance and move towards a more pragmatic approach that prioritizes diplomatic engagement over confrontation.

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