Iran has been less focused on talks and a deal with the United States in the past week. This comes as US politics are also more focused on domestic issues, particularly protests and riots in California. Iran knows that US President Donald Trump can shift rapidly from one issue to the next, and it appears Tehran is in a holding pattern, waiting to see what happens.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei recently condemned new US sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, noting that they show Washington’s entrenched hostility toward the Iranian nation, Iran’s IRNA state media reported.

“Baqaei, in a statement carried by the Foreign Ministry late on Saturday, criticized the United States’ newly announced sanctions that target more than two dozen individuals and entities accused of being engaged in commercial and banking activities with Iran.”

Iran is frustrated by what it sees as these “unilateral actions” by the US. The Iranian official “said that the coercive economic restrictions, which are designed to exacerbate hardships for Iranian citizens and deprive them of fundamental human rights, would only serve to fortify Iran’s determination in safeguarding its legitimate national interests against the US’s excessive demands,” the IRNA report said.

This was in response to a new list of sanctions announced by the US Treasury Department, targeting 30 people involved with Iran’s banking networks.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi holds a news conference after the first day of the agency's quarterly Board of Governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/LISA LEUTNER)
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi holds a news conference after the first day of the agency's quarterly Board of Governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/LISA LEUTNER)

Baqaei discusses Iran’s work with European countries 

Meanwhile, Baqaei also discussed Iran’s work with European countries and its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran has been critical of the approach of the US, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany and their push for a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting in Vienna this week.

“Baqaei said that the Islamic Republic had taken steps in the past one or two years in cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog but the three European countries and the United States often abused the agency for their own political purposes,” IRNA stated. Iran is concerned about a draft resolution that would accuse it of “non-compliance.” Tehran has “warned that any such move will be met with a serious and decisive response.”

Iran continues to insist on its right to enrich uranium.

It has been said this is a red line in any talks with the US. The Iranians claim that enrichment does not necessarily mean they have a nuclear weapons program. “This right is explicitly recognized for member states and is non-negotiable under Article 4 of the NPT,” Iran claims. It says that its nuclear program is peaceful. “Baqaei accused European countries of piling up pressure under the pretext of lack of transparency,” IRNA noted.

WHILE IRAN is focused on Europe, its leadership is also focused on cultivating stronger ties with Middle Eastern countries. This includes ties with the Gulf and working with Egypt, key Arab states.

Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Reza Salehi Amiri recently said that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is focused on restoring relations with Egypt, including in the tourism sector.

Amiri was discussing his trip to Egypt, which was one of several important Iran-Egypt developments. “The minister said that his trip was aimed at following up on efforts to rebuild Tehran-Cairo relations after Iranian and Egyptian authorities engaged in talks over that matter,” IRNA reported.

“Egyptians are eager to expand relations with Iran, and the two governments are determined to open the path. Political diplomacy needs to be established between the two countries. Good measures have so far been taken and there are no serious obstacles in the way of developing tourism cooperation,” Amiri said.

Iran wants to sign a new memorandum of understanding with Egypt. “He further said that the Iranian side has encouraged the Egyptian private sector to participate in major projects in Iran, and that Iranian authorities are prepared to facilitate air and road travel and hold historical and religious tours,” IRNA said.

As part of Iran’s outreach to the Arab world, the regime has also been teasing claims that Tehran obtained “classified Israeli documents.”

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esma’eel Khatib claimed that Iran has “a vast trove of strategic and sensitive documents from the Israeli regime.” It claims it will reveal these soon, according to IRNA. “Iranian media first reported the development on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Reports indicate that Iranian intelligence agencies have obtained a wealth of strategic and sensitive intelligence from Israel,” the Iranian state media added.

It is clear from the Iranian reports that it is weighing several options now. It is feared that European countries involved with the 2015 JCPOA Iran deal may be willing to pressure Iran.

This could scuttle an Iran deal with the US, or it could encourage Iran to sprint toward a deal. However, Iran knows that Washington is now distracted. As such, the Islamic Republic is focused on ties with the Arab world and attempts to isolate Israel.

It has moved away from backing proxy attacks to focus on higher-level diplomatic initiatives.