WANA (Mar 28) – Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former Defense Minister, spoke to an Iranian media outlet about Iran’s response to Trump’s letter and the recent U.S. threats.

 

Shamkhani dismissed the U.S. threats as repetitive and not a new development, but stressed that Tehran does not take such threats lightly.“We take every threat seriously—not to surrender, but to counter it. The Iranian nation has never accepted surrender and never will. We believe the U.S. has no choice but to pursue a fair and rational approach in its talks with Iran.”

 

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had confirmed that Iran’s response to Trump’s letter had been prepared and sent via Oman. Shamkhani, while endorsing this, hinted that Iran’s response was generous. “Iran’s response to Trump’s letter was prepared by various relevant institutions. The response was ‘restrained’ and was delivered to the Americans through Oman. The U.S. had proposed a different channel, but Iran preferred to use Oman.” Shamkhani said

 

Kamal Kharrazi, Iran’s former Foreign Minister and an advisor to the Supreme Leader, stated yesterday that Tehran is open to indirect talks with the U.S. on disputed issues.

 

Iran’s willingness to engage in indirect dialogue has been seen as both a positive sign and a continued assertion that the U.S. must be humiliated for its irrational withdrawal from the JCPOA.

 

The former Iranian Defense Minister, who holds significant influence among Iranian officials, does not oppose dialogue with the U.S. but insists on specific conditions.

“Iran has always engaged in indirect talks with the Americans. In this letter, Iran has reiterated its readiness for such discussions, provided they take place on equal footing. If this condition is met, further steps in negotiations could be considered.”