Iran sees diplomatic opening in nuclear talks as Trump freezes USAID funding

Iranian media has been lauding US President Donald Trump’s cuts to foreign aid, saying it weakens the country’s opposition forces abroad. Iranian officials also see the move as an opportunity to push for new negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The state-run IRNA news agency described Trump’s decision as a blow to foreign-based opposition groups funded by the US. Hard-liners in Tehran called it proof of “America’s interventionist policies.” Conservative newspaper Hamshhari mocked the opposition for celebrating Trump’s election, only to now face funding cuts. Even the reformist Hammihan compared it to a “cold shower” for activists overseas.

Additionally, Esmail Bagahei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, called the aid “wages paid in exchange for services,” accusing the US of meddling in Iran’s domestic affairs.

According to the report, the aid had previously supported pro-democracy activists, trained journalists to report human rights abuses, and provided internet access during government shutdowns.

At the same time, some Iranian officials are also signalling readiness for dialogue with the US. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently hinted at a willingness to negotiate, though he warned against trusting Western intentions. “We must be careful about who we are dealing with, who we are negotiating with, and who we are speaking to," Khamenei said last week.

Trump even when signing an executive order to reimpose his “maximum pressure on Iran” on Tuesday, had also suggested he wanted to deal with Tehran.