US Rules Out Resuming Nuclear Talks With Iran’s New President

President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian wants to restart negotiations with the US, but he likely won't have a willing partner

On Monday, the White House ruled out the idea of resuming negotiations related to Iran’s civilian nuclear program despite the election of a new president who seeks a revival of the Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, which the Trump administration tore up in 2018.

On the campaign trail, President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian, considered a reformist in Iranian politics, vowed to work toward Western sanctions relief and favors the idea of engaging directly with the US.

Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, has noted that Iran seeking direct negotiations with the US in the context of another Trump presidency is a significant shift in Tehran’s policy. But it’s unlikely Pezeshkian will have a willing partner in negotiations since the White House has ruled out talks and a second Trump administration is not expected to soften its stance on Iran.

“We’re not in a position where we’re willing to get back to the negotiating table with Iran just based on the fact that they’ve elected a new president,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Both Kirby and State Department spokesman Matt Miller have said they don’t expect a change in Iran’s policies as a result of the election. “We have no expectation that this election will lead to a fundamental change in Iran’s direction or its policies,” Miller said.

Amid regional escalations sparked by Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, the US and Iran have held indirect talks in Oman to avoid direct war. But there’s no sign the US has any interest in pursuing negotiations that could lead to any kind of sanctions relief.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.