DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s president says Tehran has rejected direct negotiations with the United States in response to a letter from President Donald Trump over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. Sunday’s remarks from President Masoud Pezeshkian offered the first official acknowledgment of how Iran responded to Trump’s letter. It also suggests that tensions may further rise between Tehran and Washington. But Pezeshkian left open the possibility of indirect negotiations. The U.S. State Department responded to Pezeshkian by saying that Trump has made it clear that “the United States cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.” Trump said before Pezeshkian’s comments that he was considering military action and secondary tariffs if Iran doesn’t agree to a nuclear deal.
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