Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected what he described as threats by US President Donald Trump, saying his country favors negotiations with the United States to avoid war in nuclear Talks. “We are not seeking war, we favor negotiation and dialogue, but we are not afraid of threats either, and we will in no way retreat from our legal rights,” Pezeshkian said at an event in the port city of Bandar Abbas.
Pezeshkian’s comments come after Trump told reporters during a trip to the Middle East that Iran has to “move quickly” in negotiations with the US or “something bad’s gonna happen.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also weighed in, calling Trump’s comments a “disgrace to the American nation” and “not worthy of a response at all.”
Nuclear Talks Continue
The US and Iran concluded their fourth round of talks in Oman, aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and stopping its uranium enrichment program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has not received any written proposals from Washington, despite Trump’s claim that the US had put forward a formal proposal for a nuclear deal.
“We will not abandon our legal rights,” Araghchi emphasized. “There is no scenario in which Iran abandons its hard-earned right to (uranium) enrichment for peaceful purposes: a right afforded to all other (Non-Proliferation Treaty) signatories, too.”
Diverging Views
US officials have sent mixed signals on Iran’s uranium enrichment program. US Foreign Envoy Steve Witkoff said the program must be dismantled, while suggesting in another interview that Iran could be allowed to enrich uranium to low levels.
The most recent round of talks between the US and Iran was described as “difficult” by the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, while a senior Trump administration official called the discussions “encouraging.” Trump has repeatedly warned that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon, threatening to strike the country if it fails to reach a nuclear deal with the US.
Iran’s Stance
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s commitment to negotiations, saying, “No one but Trump himself believes his words against the Iranian nation.” He added that Trump’s contradictory statements, promising both peace and threatening violence, are unconvincing.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: Iran is determined to pursue its nuclear program, and the US is pushing for a deal. The outcome remains uncertain, with the next round of talks yet to be announced.