Iran says hopes Trump will take ‘realistic’ approach to region

Iran expressed its hope on Monday that Donald Trump’s incoming US government would take a “realistic” stance and demonstrate “respect” for the interests of nations in the region.

On Monday, Trump will take the oath of office as president of the United States.

“We hope that the approaches and policies of the (new) US government will be realistic and based on international law and respect for the interests and desires of the nations of the region, including the Iranian nation,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly press briefing. 

Baqaei criticized Joe Biden’s departing administration for backing Israel in its conflict with Hamas.

Additionally, he stated that Biden’s administration has not “show any seriousness” about bringing the nuclear agreement with Iran back to life.

Trump implemented a “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran during his first term, pulling out of a historic nuclear agreement from 2015 that placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Tehran complied with the agreement until Washington withdrew in 2018, after which it started to renounce its obligations. Since then, attempts to resurrect the agreement have failed.

The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), provided for the snapback mechanism which allowed signatories to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran in cases of the “significant non-performance” of commitments. 

The option to trigger the mechanism expires in October this year.

Baqaei warned of a “proportionate and reciprocal” response if the mechanism was triggered. 

“Abusing this mechanism will mean that there will no longer be a justification or reason for Iran to remain in some relevant agreements,” he said. 

Tehran would “withdraw” from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the mechanism was activated, Iranian diplomats have previously threatened.

The E3, or secret nuclear negotiations, between Iran and Britain, Germany, and France this week were characterized as “frank and constructive” by all parties.

Later, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that it was unclear if the Trump administration “intends to return to the negotiations” but that European nations seemed committed to finding a means to resume nuclear talks.