TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States against reviving its "maximum pressure" campaign, as Washington awaits Donald Trump to enter office in about two months.

In a recent series of posts on his X account, Araghchi highlighted that the initial implementation of the so-called maximum pressure campaign Trump implemented during his first term as the U.S. president led to a substantial setback for Washington.  

The official noted, “Maximum Pressure 1.0 compelled ‘Maximum Resistance’ and ended in ‘Maximum Defeat’ for the US.” 

The second version of Maximum Pressure will lead to the second version of Maximum Failure for the United States, he added. 

In 2015, Iran successfully negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the P5+1 nations, which include China, France, Russia, the U.K., the U.S., and Germany. 

Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear deal in May 2018, has been elected as the 47th President of the United States and is set to assume office in January 2025. 

The U.S. unilateral exit from the nuclear agreement resulted in the implementation of anti-Iran sanctions that many have deemed illegal under international law. 

These sanctions, maintained under the Joe Biden administration, have sought to disrupt financial channels necessary for purchasing essential goods and medicine, while also undermining supply chains by limiting suppliers willing to facilitate the sale of humanitarian goods to Iran. 

In his X post, Araghchi also pointed to the contrast between Iran's peaceful nuclear program before and after the introduction of the maximum pressure policy as evidence of the shortcomings of Washington’s approach. 

“Attempting 'Maximum Pressure 2.0' will only result in ‘Maximum Defeat 2.0’,” the top diplomat cautioned, further suggesting that the Americans try “Maximum Wisdom”, for the benefit of all.

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif made similar remarks on Saturday, saying that Trump's approach during his first term resulted in a notable escalation of Iran's uranium enrichment levels – an increase from 3.5 percent to 60 percent.

Mitigating the cost of disparities 

Additionally, Araghchi told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet session on Wednesday that while Iran's differences with the U.S. are quite fundamental, it is crucial to "implement relevant management strategies to reduce the cost of the differences," adding that channels of communication between the two countries have always remained open. 

Iran's FM noted that the rhetoric from U.S. officials holds little significance for Iran, underscoring that actions are far more impactful. 

In response to a reporter's question regarding the possibility of initiating negotiations with the U.S., the top diplomat affirmed that Iran has always been open to dialogue, stressing that any decision to enter negotiations is contingent upon safeguarding the nation's interests. "It was the Western parties who broke their promises and it was the U.S. that left the negotiating table." 

The foreign minister also commented on Israel’s ongoing atrocities in the region, noting that while the outgoing Biden administration has often claimed to be working toward a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, concrete results have been elusive.

“This is a result of either hypocrisy or incapacity,” Araghchi explained.