'Will not accept any form of threat...': Iran sets firm conditions ahead of nuclear talks with US

Iran has laid out tough conditions ahead of high-stakes nuclear talks with the US, according to a CNN report, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Thursday.

Among the key “red lines”, Tehran is rejecting what it sees as “threatening language” from the Trump administration and pushing back against what it calls “unreasonable demands” concerning its nuclear activities, the report added.

The report also noted that the US should avoid bringing up issues related to Iran’s defence capabilities — likely alluding to its ballistic missile programme, which Washington and its regional allies consider a significant security concern.

“Iran will not accept any form of threat or any attempt to cross these red lines,” CNN quoted Iran officials as saying, citing Tasnim.

In February, President Donald Trump revived the “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran, aiming to block the Islamic Republic from developing a nuclear weapon.

The policy memo outlined plans to “drive Iran’s oil exports to zero” and prevent it from acquiring intercontinental ballistic missiles.

According to the Tasnim news agency, Iranian and US delegations are expected to arrive in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Saturday.

Following a meeting with Oman’s foreign minister, indirect negotiations are set to begin in the afternoon.

Despite this, Trump has stated that the talks will be direct.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will hold direct talks with Iran on Saturday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme.

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Donald Trump, Rubio voiced hope that the talks will lead to “peace.”

“We hope that’ll lead to peace. We’ve been very clear what Iran is never going to have as a nuclear weapon, and I think that’s what led to this meeting,” Reuters quoted Rubio as saying.

While Washington has indicated that the discussions will be direct, Tehran maintains that they will be indirect, with Oman’s foreign minister facilitating the dialogue.

On Wednesday, Trump said that military action against Iran was “absolutely” an option if the talks did not lead to a deal, emphasising that time is running out to reach an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

“If necessary, absolutely,” Trump told reporters when asked if military action was an option.

“If it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that,” he added.

With inputs from agencies