Iran is prepared for indirect negotiations with the United States to assess the opposing side's intentions, according to Kamal Kharrazi, chairman of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations said on March 27.

The former foreign minister and advisor to the leadership made the comments following news of the US military build-up at the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean on March 26. As part of the build-up, intelligence assessments seen by IntelliNews indicate the US is sending B-52 bombers to the military base, among other equipment. 

Kharrazi characterised recent American diplomatic approaches as "psychological warfare" employing a "war or negotiations" dichotomy through contradictory messages from US officials, Aftab News reported.

"Trump's recent positions and vague references by some American officials to his letter, widely published in Western and regional media, aim to create an imaginary optimism, confusion and a polarised atmosphere in the country," Kharrazi stated.

The Iranian official claimed this approach has led some within Iran to believe "a window has opened to solve historical problems between Iran and America" while others remain sceptical of Trump's sincerity.

Kharrazi described America's actual strategy as "inviting negotiations while intensifying economic sanctions and military threats" with the goal of forcing Iran into talks without clear principles or reliable guarantees.

"If Trump knew Iran and the Iranian spirit, had learned from the past, and sincerely or even entrepreneurially wanted to solve the historical problems between Iran and America for the economic benefits of his country, he would act differently," Kharrazi added.

The senior Iranian diplomat outlined four points Trump should recognise: Iranians' refusal to accept humiliation due to their ancient civilisational background; the Iranian spirit of chivalry that rejects domination but responds positively to humility; Iran's emergence as a regional power despite war and sanctions; and the need for genuine negotiation principles based on equality and mutual respect.

"However, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not closed all paths, but is ready for indirect negotiations to assess the other side, announce its conditions and make appropriate decisions," Kharrazi concluded.