The Spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they will not engage in direct negotiations as requested by US President Donald Trump. Ismail Bekayi, the Spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered journalists’ questions about the country’s foreign policy agenda and regional developments during a press conference held in the capital, Tehran. Evaluating the possibility of direct or indirect negotiations with the US, Bekayi mentioned that they will not engage in direct negotiations as President Donald Trump desires, and they are waiting for Washington’s decision regarding the proposed format for indirect negotiations. “OMAN WILL BE THE PRIME CANDIDATE FOR THIS TASK” When asked about the possibility of negotiations with the US, the Spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Iran’s response letter has been delivered to the US. We are waiting for their decision on this matter. The record of other parties’ participation in advancing indirect negotiations is clear. If such a process materializes, Oman will be the prime candidate for this task.” Bekayi clarified that reports about the initiation of indirect negotiations with the US are not accurate. When questioned about a possible US attack, Bekayi emphasized that they will respond forcefully to any attack. On March 7th, Trump revealed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s leader, Khamenei, during an interview with Fox Business Network. Trump stated, “I wrote them a letter saying, ‘I hope we can negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it will be a horrible thing.'” MEETING AT THE DEPUTY MINISTER LEVEL WITH EUROPE Bekayi mentioned that technical nuclear discussions are being held with the European parties of the nuclear deal, Germany, the UK, and France, and soon these discussions will take place at the deputy minister level. He also noted that technical discussions with the other parties of the agreement, Russia and China, are ongoing. “WE ARE FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED CATASTROPHE IN GAZA” Bekayi evaluated Israel’s ongoing attacks in Gaza by stating, “We are facing an unprecedented catastrophe in terms of violating all the norms and rules of international law, upon which the international system has relied for decades. The crimes committed in Gaza and the West Bank simultaneously show without a doubt that the Zionist regime is pursuing a policy, with the support of the US, aimed at eliminating Palestine as a nation from the region and displacing them from their homeland.” DENIAL OF “NUCLEAR WEAPONS” CLAIMS Bekayi once again rejected claims that their country is developing nuclear weapons, stating, “All these accusations are aimed at exerting pressure on Iran. Despite all the pressures and allegations, we have continued our nuclear program because we believe in its peaceful nature.” When asked for his opinion on the threat made by an ultra-conservative newspaper in Iran regarding a potential assassination of US President Donald Trump in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, Bekayi responded, “The reactions were so extraordinary that they are not worth responding to. We have expressed our stance multiple times. The killing of Iranian heroes is not a forgivable matter, and this issue will always reside in the minds of the Iranian people. However, Iran has always stated that it will seek justice through legal means, and this process is ongoing.”