Iran: Behind Trump’s Threat, an Opportunity

An Iranian woman jumps over a flame in celebration of the last week of the Persian year in Tehran (AP)
An Iranian woman jumps over a flame in celebration of the last week of the Persian year in Tehran (AP)
TT

Iran: Behind Trump’s Threat, an Opportunity

An Iranian woman jumps over a flame in celebration of the last week of the Persian year in Tehran (AP)
An Iranian woman jumps over a flame in celebration of the last week of the Persian year in Tehran (AP)

- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described US President Donald Trump’s message as a “threat that contains an opportunity,” confirming that Tehran is evaluating its response through “appropriate channels” and will respond soon.

In recent days, Washington and Tehran have exchanged indirect messages to gauge the possibility of negotiations. While Trump pursues a policy of “maximum pressure,” Iran refuses to engage in talks under what it calls “threats and intimidation.”

Speaking on Thursday, Araghchi stated that Iran would respond to Trump’s message but is “not in a hurry.” He added: “Since it is Nowruz and Ramadan, we are not rushing to reply, but it won’t take too long. We will respond in the coming days.”

According to the government-affiliated Mehr News Agency, Araghchi noted that Trump’s message contains both “threats and claims of opportunities.” He explained: “We are carefully analyzing every angle and point in Trump’s message, and our response will take into account all aspects of both the threats and the opportunities.”

Araghchi reiterated that Tehran rejects direct negotiations with Washington “under pressure and intensified sanctions,” stating: “Our policy is indirect negotiations as long as the threats continue... We are prepared for war, but we do not welcome it. The coming year will be difficult, significant, and complex.”

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that Trump’s message to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is “under review” and that a “suitable response” will be given at the appropriate time and in a manner deemed appropriate.

Speaking to the ILNA news agency, Mohajerani added that the government currently has no plans to disclose the contents of Trump’s message.

Last week, Khamenei rejected Trump’s message, calling it a “deception” and arguing that his excessive demands would “tighten the noose of sanctions around Iran and increase pressure on the country.”

Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers during his first presidential term and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Since then, Iran has violated the deal’s limits on its nuclear program, prompting Western powers to accuse Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium to 60% purity—well beyond what is considered necessary for a civilian nuclear program.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it remains committed to its obligations under international law.

On March 21, 2025 (Friday), Iranians will celebrate the arrival of the year 1404 in their calendar, along with nearly 300 million people worldwide, including communities in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Kurdish regions of Iraq and Türkiye.

Trump extended Nowruz greetings to Iranians, expressing his “appreciation for Iran’s rich culture and the outstanding talents of its people in various fields,” according to a message released by the White House on March 19.



Indian Troops Shoot Dead Pakistani Crossing Frontier

An Indian army soldier keeps a vigil from one of the forward posts along the line of control between India and Pakistan during a media tour somewhere in north of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP)
An Indian army soldier keeps a vigil from one of the forward posts along the line of control between India and Pakistan during a media tour somewhere in north of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP)
TT

Indian Troops Shoot Dead Pakistani Crossing Frontier

An Indian army soldier keeps a vigil from one of the forward posts along the line of control between India and Pakistan during a media tour somewhere in north of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP)
An Indian army soldier keeps a vigil from one of the forward posts along the line of control between India and Pakistan during a media tour somewhere in north of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP)

Indian border troops shot dead a Pakistani man who they said had crossed the international frontier and did not stop when challenged, the force said Saturday.

The shooting comes two weeks after arch-rivals India and Pakistan agreed a ceasefire after a four-day conflict, in which more than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire.

India's Border Security Force (BSF) said its troops Friday evening had spotted "one suspicious person advancing towards the border fence", which lies beyond the international frontier in Gujarat state's Banaskantha district.

"They challenged the intruder, but he continued to advance, prompting them to open fire", the BSF said in a statement. "The intruder was neutralized on the spot".

A photograph released by the force showed a dead man with greying hair.

The recent conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals was triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, the deadliest on civilians in the contested Muslim-majority territory in decades.

New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing the militants it said carried out the attack, charges that Pakistan denied.