Iran is ready to hold talks with European countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday, reiterating his country's bid to establish good diplomatic relations with other countries.

During a phone call with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, Araghchi stated that Iran is ready to engage in talks with other European countries as long as they are based on mutual respect and common interests.

The two foreign ministers discussed mutual ties and recent developments, both regional and global.

On his part, Veldkamp noted the deep-rooted relations between Tehran and Amsterdam and Iran's role in regional developments while calling for the deployment of diplomacy in international relations and resolving disputes.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on Tuesday that discussions between Iran and European countries have been ongoing in recent months, adding, “We are holding negotiations with Europeans, China and Russia, as signatories to the JCPOA, and we will likely have an expert-level meeting with these countries in the near future."

This comes as the Trump administration continues to escalate its "maximum pressure" policy against Iran, claiming to prevent the country from building nuclear weapons, something Tehran repeatedly affirmed is a false accusation.

Trump reinstates 'maximum pressure' policy

After reclaiming the presidency in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy, similar to his first term. His decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimpose harsh economic sanctions severely impacted Iran’s economy.

Initially, Iran continued to abide by the nuclear agreement for a year following the US exit but later scaled back its commitments. Although the Biden administration was stating publicly it wanted to revive the deal, negotiations stalled, leaving Iran unwilling to engage while sanctions remain in place.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Tehran will not consider direct talks with Washington unless economic sanctions are lifted.

"Ultimately, the United States should lift the sanctions," Araghchi said in an interview published on March 13, adding, "We will enter into direct negotiations when we are on an equal footing, free from pressure and threats, and are confident that the national interests of the people will be guaranteed."

Iran galvanizes its position against Trump

The US Treasury Department’s announcement of new sanctions on March 13 aligns with Trump’s "maximum pressure" campaign on the country, a policy that paradoxically claims to seek diplomatic engagement while intensifying economic aggression.

Oil and natural gas extraction are key components of Iran's economy, as the country is among the world leaders in both energy reserves and production. The sector has come under immense pressure due to unilateral sanctions issued by the West, affecting its development and upkeep. 

Despite these challenges, Iran has continuously adapted, leveraging alternative trade mechanisms and strategic partnerships to sustain its energy exports and maintain access to international markets.

Now, the Trump administration aims to place further pressure on Iran, hoping to force Tehran to accept an exploitative nuclear agreement. However, Iran's leadership has firmly stated that it will not negotiate under pressure, nor will it compromise on matters vital to its national security.

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, denounced the US Treasury’s action on March 13, characterizing it as a clear breach of international law, while highlighting that the sanctions, extending to multiple Iranian oil tankers and commercial entities, were introduced under the guise of economic pressure by the US yet, in his view, they ultimately exemplify Washington’s duplicity.

"The US's hostile actions to disrupt Iran's economic transactions and trade with other countries are a clear violation of the fundamental principles and rules of international law and free trade, and the Islamic Republic of Iran holds the US government responsible for the consequences and effects of such unilateral and illegitimate actions," Baghaei stated.