- Risk of military action increases if Iran declines negotiations.
- Khamenei rejects talks, asserting there will be no relief from sanctions.
- A letter was sent last week by UAE diplomat Anwar Gargash.
According to Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sets a two-month deadline for reaching a new nuclear agreement.
Sources familiar with the letter indicated that the countdown might begin either upon receipt or the initiation of talks. Should Iran turn down the proposal, the risk of military intervention by the U.S. or Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure could escalate.
The letter, characterized as “stern,” calls for negotiations for a new deal but warns of repercussions should Iran continue its nuclear developments. Trump reportedly stressed that he is not interested in prolonged discussions, establishing a clear two-month timeframe for a resolution.
Delivered by UAE diplomat Anwar Gargash last week, the letter arrived at a time when Khamenei dismissed the possibility of negotiations, commenting that they would not alleviate sanctions but would rather “tighten the sanctions noose.”
A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran is reviewing the letter and will offer a response once the evaluation is completed.
Since assuming office again in January, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran to hinder its nuclear ambitions, despite Tehran’s insistence that it does not seek nuclear weaponry.
