Iran has finally issued a formal response to US President Donald Trump’s letter unveiled early this month which was addressed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Trump letter had urged fresh nuclear negotiations, but was coupled with statements from the White House threatening attack if Tehran pursues atomic weapons. The Islamic Republic in a formal letter issued to the White House in response says it is willing to enter “indirect” negotiations with Washington. “Iran’s formal response to the letter from US President Donald Trump has been duly sent via Oman,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told IRNA on Thursday. “The official response comprises a letter wherein our viewpoints regarding the status quo and Mr. Trump’s letter have been fully laid out and relayed to the other side.” The FM said that while no direct official talks can be held so long as Trump keeps his “maximum pressure” sanctions regimen in place, it remains that “Indirect negotiations, though, can continue, as they existed in the past.”  “In circumstances where there is ‘maximum pressure,’ no one in their sound mind would enter into direct talks. The format of negotiations is always relevant in diplomatic relations … For now, our tactic is to have indirect negotiations,” Araghchi explained. […]