Iran's deputy FM declares Trump’s "maximum pressure" policy failure

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has firmly stated that US President Donald Trump’s "maximum pressure" policy towards Iran has failed.

Speaking in an extensive interview with Iranian media, Takht-Ravanchi elaborated on Iran's ongoing diplomatic engagements, regional strategies, and discussions with Europe’s E3 countries, Caliber.Az reports.

Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that Iran is actively engaged in consultations regarding the US approach. "We are in interaction and consultation" about Trump's policies, he stated, adding, "his maximum pressure policy has failed."

The senior Iranian diplomat highlighted that the current administration has continued its neighborhood policy with vigor, asserting that enhancing economic ties with neighboring countries could alleviate a significant portion of Iran's external economic challenges. "If Iran raises its economic relations with its neighbors to the highest level, a large part of its external economic problems will certainly be solved," Takht-Ravanchi remarked.

Addressing the broader geopolitical context, Takht-Ravanchi referenced Western admissions that Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign had been unsuccessful. He also clarified that regional developments were not linked to the nuclear issue or Iran’s negotiation efforts.

Regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deputy minister reiterated that both Iran and the European parties shared the fundamental logic of the agreement. While they have delved into the specifics of nuclear and sanctions-related matters, he noted that the negotiations had not yet reached a stage where a give-and-take dynamic had fully materialized.

On the issue of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Takht-Ravanchi asserted that it was a technical matter rather than a political one. He explained, "If we solve the sanctions and the FATF problem remains, the problems will not be completely solved, and if we solve the FATF and the sanctions remain, the problems will still not be completely solved either."

Takht-Ravanchi also emphasized that Iran has not been passive in responding to US policies. "It is not like we are sitting on our hands and waiting for Trump to come and say his policy towards Iran; we have definitely been thinking about this for a long time and have consulted with our friends," he said.

Reflecting on Trump’s tenure, Takht-Ravanchi criticized the president's approach, noting that the US had assumed that its "maximum pressure" strategy, coupled with withdrawing from the JCPOA, would compel Iran to capitulate.

"Trump thought that he could impose his demands on Iran through the policy of maximum pressure and also by withdrawing from the JCPOA, but in practice, this did not happen," Takht-Ravanchi added. He emphasized that this miscalculation demonstrated the ultimate failure of the policy.

By Vafa Guliyeva