Iran is ready to begin negotiations with the US for the end of sanctions, but not under the “maximum pressure” policy of President Donald Trump, Tehran's Foreign Minister suggested.
Speaking during a conference attended by senior officials and members of parliament, Abbas Araghchi described US sanctions on Iran as “cruel”, blaming them for blocking economic development.
“Lifting the sanctions requires negotiations, but not under the maximum pressure policy,” Mr Araghchi said, according to Iranian state media. “Negotiation cannot be carried out from a weak stance, as it will no longer be considered negotiation, but will be a kind of surrender. We never go to the negotiating table this way.”
On February 5, Mr Trump signed a memorandum committing the US to pursue the policy of maximum pressure against Iran, which he first established during his first term in office and that included economic sanctions. The memorandum said the policy was aimed at pushing Iranian oil exports to zero.
The US President's previous campaign slashed Iran’s oil exports from nearly three million barrels a day in 2017 to about 400,000 in 2019, and followed his cancellation of the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal with six world powers which eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for UN inspections to curb the nuclear programme.
Mr Araghchi's comments came after Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the government to not negotiate with the US, calling such an approach “reckless” in light of Mr Trump's Tehran policy. Ultimately, Mr Khamenei has the final say on all strategic decisions.
Mr Araghchi said that negotiations should be held cautiously, adding that Tehran had never left the negotiating table.
After reinstating the policy, Mr Trump called for a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Tehran and said work on a new deal should begin “immediately”.
Iran has repeatedly stated its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only and denied it is seeking to build weapons.
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Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
The specs
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Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
