On February 5, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly responded to U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced the reinstatement of maximum sanctions pressure on Tehran. Speaking on state television, Araghchi said: "We've seen this movie before. They (the U.S.) have tried everything from threats and sanctions to psychological warfare, but Iran has never bowed to pressure."
According to Araghchi, over the decades, Iran has faced varying degrees of U.S. sanctions and has built a resistance economy that mitigates their impact. "If they think maximum pressure will make Iran shift its stance at the negotiating table, they are mistaken," he stressed.
Earlier, President Trump signed a memorandum to restore the "maximum pressure" policy against Iran, including tightening the country's oil exports. This is part of the new administration's efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
However, Iran's top diplomat argued that the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) has eroded Tehran's trust in Washington. "We have learned that we cannot rely on commitments from the U.S.," Araghchi said, while urging European nations to maintain cooperation with Tehran despite pressure from Washington.
Analysts note that Araghchi's remarks reflect Iran's increasingly hardline posture toward the U.S., as the country has heavily invested in its nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile programs. The latest move from the White House is expected to escalate tensions in the Middle East, a region already beset by prolonged conflicts.
Still, both sides have left the door open for dialogue. President Trump has repeatedly expressed readiness to meet Iranian leaders, while Foreign Minister Araghchi also emphasized that Iran is not closing the door on diplomacy, but will only engage based on mutual respect and without imposition.
