Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed a lack of trust in Washington.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is open to discussions with the US, but these talks must be indirect and supported by firm guarantees. He attributed Iran’s stance to a prevailing sense of distrust.
The two nations are scheduled to engage in negotiations in Oman on Saturday, an initiative started by US President Donald Trump, to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While Trump has suggested the talks will be direct, Tehran maintains they will be indirect.
During a National Nuclear Technology Day ceremony on Wednesday, Pezeshkian announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will convey the instructions of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the upcoming discussions.
“As the Supreme Leader has indicated, the Islamic Republic is prepared to engage… however, this engagement must be indirect, respectful, and backed by explicit guarantees, as we continue to lack trust in the other party,” according to a statement released by the president’s office.
During his previous term, Trump made the unilateral decision to withdraw from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international agreement designed to curb Iran’s nuclear activities in return for the easing of sanctions.
Since his return to office in January, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy, accusing Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons and imposing further sanctions on the country’s oil sector.
Iran asserts that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has consistently condemned US sanctions as unlawful and unjustified.
Trump revealed in early March that he had sent a letter to Khamenei, suggesting renewed negotiations. He also cautioned that if Tehran declines the offer, it could face military action from the US “the likes of which it has never seen.”
Iran has stated its readiness to respond to any aggression and has reportedly placed its military on high alert.
Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran had fulfilled its commitments under the JCPOA, from which Washington withdrew unilaterally. “If they believe we have weakened and can be challenged, they are operating under a naive illusion,” he asserted.
Pezeshkian also refuted Western allegations that Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons program, despite what he said were hundreds of inspections.
“We are not pursuing nuclear weapons, and never have,” he stated.
International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi mentioned late last year that Iran had increased uranium enrichment to 60% purity, causing some concern. Weapons-grade material requires an enrichment level of about 90%.
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