Iran’s foreign minister has dismissed direct talks with the United States as “meaningless” given Washington’s threats to use force against the country, reiterating Tehran’s openness to diplomacy and indirect negotiations.

Abbas Araghchi made the remarks during a ceremony on Saturday, two days after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran is willing to engage in direct talks with his administration.

Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran and sent a letter to the country, to which he has received a response.

Araghchi said that the content and tone of Iran’s letter were in accordance with that of Trump while preserving the opportunity to use diplomacy.

“Basically, direct negotiations would be meaningless with a party that constantly threatens to resort to force in violation of the UN Charter and that expresses contradictory positions from its various officials,” he added.

“However, we remain committed to diplomacy and are ready to try the path of indirect negotiations.”

The top diplomat also touched on the US’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, despite Iran’s voluntary measures to assure the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

The Islamic Republic, he emphasized, is now ready to pursue talks on its nuclear activities in return for the removal of cruel anti-Iran sanctions as a trust-building step.

“While adhering to the path of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve misunderstandings and rifts, Iran keeps itself prepared for all possible or probable events,” Araghchi said.

“Just as it (Iran) is serious in diplomacy and negotiations, it will also be decisive and serious in defending its national interests and sovereignty.”

Additionally, in his remarks, the Iranian foreign minister underlined the need for cooperation between countries to end the suffering of the oppressed Palestinian people amid Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip and stop the regime’s aggression against Lebanon and Syria.

Press TV’s website