Iran Rejects Trump’s Offer for Direct Nuclear Negotiations Despite Personal Letter to Supreme Leader

Iran has rejected President Trump’s offer to open direct negotiations over its advancing nuclear program, even after the U.S. leader sent a personal letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the Islamic Republic cannot trust America due to the U.S. pulling out of the nuclear deal during Trump’s first term. “We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us,” Pezeshkian said, responding to Trump’s letter.

He added that the U.S. must prove it can build trust. Though direct negotiations are off the table, Iran has kept the option for indirect talks open.

This response comes as the U.S. intensifies its airstrike campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Trump warning that Iran’s nuclear program could become a future target. The White House has not commented on Pezeshkian’s statement.

Last month, Trump revealed that he had sent a letter to Khamenei urging him to negotiate with the U.S. or face potential military action.

Both Trump and Israel have emphasized they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, following reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicating significant increases in Iran’s production of enriched uranium.

While Iran insists its nuclear program is not focused on weapons, Tehran has repeatedly threatened to pursue a nuclear bomb.

Trump has warned that if a new deal isn’t reached, the U.S. would bomb Iran and impose secondary tariffs. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump stated, adding it would be like nothing Iran has seen before.

Despite Iran’s rejection of direct talks, Trump claimed that discussions are ongoing between Washington and Tehran. Khamenei, however, previously warned that any U.S. military action would lead to a “hard slap” from Iran.