Iran: Trump’s policy of ‘maximum pressure’ on Tehran will ‘turn into another failure’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that US 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,” Araghchi tells reporters following a cabinet meeting, claiming that Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

During his first term that ended in 2021, 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 program 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.

Yesterday, Trump signed an order reinstating the “maximum pressure” policy against Iran over allegations that the country is seeking a nuclear weapons capability.

“If the main issue is that Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, it is achievable and is not much of a problem,” Araghchi says, repeating the claim — derided by Western powers — that Tehran’s program is solely civilian.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.