BSS
  27 Jan 2025, 14:16

Iran diplomat says no contact with US since Trump's return

TEHRAN, Jan 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Iran and the United States have not
exchanged any messages since the return of Donald Trump to the White House, a
senior Iranian diplomat said Monday.

"It has only been a few days since the new American administration took
office and no messages have been exchanged," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister
Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the local ISNA news agency.

During his first term, Trump pursued a policy of "maximum pressure",
withdrawing the United States from a landmark nuclear deal which imposed
curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

Tehran adhered to the deal until Washington's withdrawal, but then began
rolling back its commitments. Efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear pact have
since faltered.

"We have to plan calmly and patiently. When the policies of the other side
(Trump) are announced, we act accordingly," said Takht-Ravanchi.

On Thursday, Trump said he hoped to avoid military strikes on Iran's nuclear
facilities, hoping for an "agreement".

Iran has repeatedly expressed willingness to revive the deal, and President
Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July, has called for an end his
country's isolation.

Earlier this month, before Trump officially returned to the White House,
Iranian officials held nuclear talks with counterparts from Britain, France
and Germany.

Both sides described the talks as "frank and constructive".

Takht-Ravanchi said that it was the third round of talks after two earlier
rounds one in Geneva and another in New York last year.

He expected another round of talks to be held "within a month" but said the
"date has not been confirmed yet."