Iran rules out direct talks with US while Trump exerts ‘maximum pressure’

Iran will not engage in direct talks with the United States on his country’s nuclear programme amid US President Donald Trump’s policy of “maximum pressure” against it, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.

His remarks came a day after the US imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry, the Iran’s main source of income.

“Iran’s position regarding nuclear talks is clear and we will not negotiate under pressure and sanctions,” Aragchi said during a televised joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Tehran on Tuesday.