Iran has called on US President-elect Donald Trump to abandon the hostile "maximum pressure" policy he pursued during his first term. This appeal was made by Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s government, during a weekly briefing.
"The maximum pressure policy on Iran, led by Donald Trump, was a complete failure. We urge the Trump administration to reconsider its flawed approach. Our government is developing various economic response strategies [in anticipation of possible new US restrictions] and aims to fully protect national interests in alignment with the high ideals of the Islamic Revolution," she stated.
When asked about the possibility of negotiations with the new US administration, Mohajerani responded, "Under the leadership of Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei], Iran will take every measure to ensure the interests of the Iranian people." She also reminded that Trump bears full responsibility for undermining the Iranian nuclear deal.
In 2015, Iran and international mediators—Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, the US, and France—signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal aimed for a phased removal of Western restrictions on Iran in exchange for limits on the country’s nuclear program. However, in 2018, Trump withdrew the US from the agreement and reinstated all previous sanctions against Iran.
On January 3, 2020, Trump ordered a drone strike near Baghdad Airport, killing General Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force. This incident sharply escalated tensions between Tehran and Washington. In retaliation, on January 8, Iran struck two bases in Iraq used by US forces. In 2024, Iran’s Supreme Court announced that criminal cases had been filed in Tehran and Baghdad against 94 U.S. nationals, with Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former CENTCOM Chief Kenneth McKenzie among the key accused.
On November 11, US Congresswoman Elise Stefanik stated that Trump would continue his maximum pressure policy on Iran. CNN reported that Trump had offered Stefanik the position of US Ambassador to the United Nations.
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Based on TASS materials