(Reuters) – Iran, preparing for a possible reinstatement of U.S. president Donald Trump's “maximum pressure” policy, said on Saturday that 2025 would be a critical year for its nuclear issue.
Trump in 2018 rejected a deal struck by his predecessor Barack Obama in 2015 in which Iran agreed to curb its enrichment of uranium, which can produce material for nuclear weapons, in return for a truce take from US and UN economic sanctions.
“2025 will be an important year for Iran's nuclear issue,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told reporters in Beijing, adding to comments broadcast by Iranian state TV that he had defeated the issue. discussed in discussions with his Chinese group.
He did not mention Trump by name, however, or explain how the year could be important.
Perhaps the main concern of Iran's leaders is that Trump could give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the power to attack Iran's nuclear sites, while simultaneously tightening US sanctions on the vital oil industry.
Iran's dollar on Saturday hit an all-time low against the US dollar amid uncertainty over Trump's arrival at the White House on January 20.
The rial fell to 820,500 to the dollar on the unofficial market, compared to 808,500 rials on Friday, according to Bonbast.com, which reports exchange rates. The website bazar360.com also reported that the dollar was being sold for around 820,500 rials.
Also facing an inflation rate officially put at around 35%, Iranians trying to shelter their savings have been buying dollars, other hard currencies, gold or cryptocurrencies, and the rule has fallen by a total of 18% since Trump was elected in November.
