Iran says U.S. 'maximum pressure' will fail as it did in Trump first term

Iran's Foreign Minister criticises Trump's "maximum pressure" policy, denies nuclear ambitions, and calls for diplomatic talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) that U.S. President Donald Trump's reimposition of a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran will end in "failure" as it did during his first term.

"I believe that maximum pressure is a failed experiment and trying it again will turn into another failure," Mr. Araghchi told reporters following a cabinet meeting, adding that Tehran was not pursuing nuclear weapons.

During his first term that ended in 2021, Mr. Trump pursued a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran, withdrawing the United States from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, and reimposing biting sanctions.

The deal — known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

Tehran adhered to the deal until a year after Washington pulled out, but then began rolling back its commitments. Efforts to revive the 2015 deal have since faltered.

On Tuesday (February 4, 2025), Mr. Trump signed an order reinstating the "maximum pressure" policy against Iran over allegations that the country is seeking a nuclear weapons capability.

Iran denies any such ambition, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.