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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, but only on equal footing and without the presence of threats or pressure. The comments came in response to US President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for direct negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.
While Trump has pushed for direct talks, arguing that they would allow for faster and clearer communication, Pezeshkian emphasized that any dialogue must be conducted with mutual respect and without the use of threats. “The Islamic Republic of Iran wants dialogue on equal footing,” Pezeshkian declared during a meeting, as noted on Iran’s presidency website. He also questioned the logic of conducting negotiations while threats were looming, asking, “If you want negotiations, then what is the point of threatening?”
Trump’s Call for Direct Talks and Threats of Military Action
US President Donald Trump has consistently called for direct talks with Iran, hoping to address concerns surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program. In a statement on Thursday, Trump argued that direct negotiations would be more effective than working through intermediaries. “I think it goes faster and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries,” Trump said.
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However, Trump’s rhetoric has been accompanied by threats of military action. On Saturday, Pezeshkian rejected these threats, noting that Iran would not engage in negotiations while under such pressure. His comments reflect the broader Iranian sentiment that diplomacy must occur in an environment of mutual respect and without coercion.
Iran’s Stance on Nuclear Program and Diplomatic Tensions
For decades, the United States and other Western countries have accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran has repeatedly denied these allegations, asserting that its nuclear activities are purely for civilian purposes, such as energy generation. Despite these assurances, Iran’s nuclear program has been a focal point of international scrutiny and tensions.
In 2015, Iran signed a landmark nuclear deal with six world powers—the US, France, China, Russia, the UK, and Germany—designed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, relations have deteriorated since the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, with the Trump administration re-imposing harsh sanctions on Iran.
Iran Prepares for Potential Conflict
While diplomatic efforts continue, Iranian officials have also expressed a readiness for conflict. On Saturday, Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that Iran is prepared for war but would not initiate hostilities. “We are not worried about war at all. We will not be the initiators of war, but we are ready for any war,” Salami said, signaling Iran’s resolve in the face of escalating tensions.
Salami’s comments reflect the growing military preparedness within Iran, which has increasingly come into conflict with the US and its allies in the region. Despite these declarations, the Iranian government has maintained that it does not seek war and would prefer to resolve differences through diplomacy.
