Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed Tehran’s willingness to engage in discussions with the United States on an equal footing, though he did not confirm whether direct talks would take place.
This statement followed US President Donald Trump’s call for direct negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, accompanied by a threat of military action should diplomacy fail. However, Iran insists that dialogue must be free from threats and pressure.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks dialogue on an equal basis,” Pezeshkian stated, as reported by the presidency’s website.
Trump has advocated for direct talks, stating that they would be quicker and more effective than using intermediaries. Yet, Pezeshkian questioned the logic of threatening a country while simultaneously calling for negotiations, highlighting what he described as America’s humiliation of both Iran and the world.
The US and Western nations have long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, an accusation that Tehran denies, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. In response to the US withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has gradually reduced its commitments under the agreement and expanded its nuclear activities.
Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), made it clear that while Iran is not seeking war, it is prepared for any potential conflict. Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, warned that if attacked, Iran could resort to developing nuclear weapons.
