Iranian leader echoes supreme leader’s stance against negotiation under pressure
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected the possibility of negotiations with the United States, declaring that Iran will not engage in talks while facing threats from Washington.
Speaking to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian dismissed US diplomatic overtures, stating:
“It is unacceptable for us that they (the US) give orders and make threats. I won’t even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want.”
His comments come in response to former US President Donald Trump’s recent letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which he proposed new talks. Iran swiftly rejected the offer, with Khamenei reaffirming his refusal to negotiate under pressure.
Trump’s proposal rejected amid renewed tensions
On Friday, Iran publicly dismissed the idea of reviving nuclear talks with the US after Trump revealed in an interview with Fox News that he had sent a letter to Khamenei on Wednesday, urging Iran to come to the negotiating table.
During the interview, Trump stated:
“There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people.”
However, he also warned Tehran that refusing negotiations could have dire consequences:
“If we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them. The other alternative is we have to do something because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.”
Iran has repeatedly denied developing nuclear weapons, but it has significantly increased uranium enrichment since the US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018.
Pressure on Iran as Trump seeks leverage
Trump has long positioned himself as a tough negotiator, using economic and military pressure as leverage in diplomatic dealings. His administration has consistently expressed willingness to engage with adversaries—including Hamas over hostages in Gaza and Russia over the Ukraine war—but Iran has remained steadfast in its refusal.
As part of its “maximum pressure” strategy, the Trump administration is reportedly considering targeting Iran’s oil exports by stopping and inspecting Iranian oil tankers at sea.
More Read
According to a Reuters report on Thursday, Trump’s team is exploring the use of the 2003 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a global accord aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, to justify disrupting Iran’s oil trade—the country’s primary source of revenue.
China’s role and Iran’s economic challenges
Iran’s economic survival is heavily dependent on oil exports, with China being its largest buyer. Much of Iran’s crude oil reaches China via the strategic Strait of Malacca, a crucial maritime passage in Asia.
In January, China’s state-owned Shandong Port Group announced a decision to block tankers under US sanctions, a move that analysts described as a significant setback for Iran. Tehran relies on a fleet of ageing “shadow” tankers to transport its oil, but heightened US scrutiny could further squeeze its economy.
Conclusion
As tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate, Iran has made it clear that it will not negotiate under pressure. President Pezeshkian’s strong words reflect a broader sentiment within Iran’s leadership—one that sees US diplomatic overtures as insincere and coercive.
With Trump pushing for a new approach to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Tehran digging in its heels, the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough appears more distant than ever.
