Iran says would consider limited nuclear talks with US

Iran said Sunday it would consider nuclear negotiations with the United States, but only as they pertained to external concerns of the "potential militarization" of the program -- rather than a total shutdown.

The post on X by Iran's mission to the United Nations came a day after the country's supreme leader slammed what he described as "bullying" tactics insisting on negotiations, after US President Donald Trump threatened military action.

"If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-a-vis any potential militarization of Iran's nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration," the post said.

"However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran's peaceful nuclear program to claim that what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place," it continued.

The post was referring to the nuclear accord formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), struck between Tehran and major powers in 2015 under then-US president Barack Obama.

On Friday, Trump said he had written to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging new talks on the country's nuclear program but warning of possible military action if it refuses.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had yet to receive any letter from the US president by Saturday.

Meanwhile, the United States has ended a sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to buy electricity from neighboring Iran, in line with President Donald Trump's policy of exerting "maximum pressure" on Tehran.

In a statement Sunday, the State Department said the decision not to renew the waiver was made to "ensure we do not allow Iran any degree of economic or financial relief."