Jalali Criticizes Trump’s Approach to Nuclear Talks and European Involvement

In an interview with Russia’s Izvestia newspaper, Iranian diplomat Jalali expressed dissatisfaction with US President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program. Jalali stated that Tehran had been prepared to involve Russia in resolving disputes over the nuclear issue but noted that Trump opposed such participation.

The diplomat accused Trump of seeking to present himself as the sole resolver of the issue and refusing to allow other major powers a role. Additionally, Jalali criticized Washington’s unwillingness to include European countries that were part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He emphasized that Europe currently does not play any significant role in these processes and questioned their reliability. Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Jalali maintained that his country has never sought to develop nuclear weapons and provided evidence from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections.

He attributed Iran’s uranium enrichment activities to practical needs and the failure of other parties to fulfill their commitments under the 2015 deal. Jalali also highlighted ongoing cooperation with Russia in the civilian nuclear sector, noting that Russian contractors are involved in constructing additional units at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

Furthermore, Jalali underscored the strong economic ties between Iran and Russia, stating that bilateral trade is increasingly conducted in national currencies. He expressed support for a visa-free regime for Russian citizens and indicated that Tehran has already proposed such measures to Moscow.