Iran’s Pezeshkian: Engaging in Talks Without Yielding to Bullies
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared the nation’s intention to engage in negotiations while firmly resisting “bullies.” He emphasized that the Islamic Republic is committed to fostering peace and stability in the West Asia region.
During a meeting with government officials in southwestern Tehran Province, Pezeshkian addressed the recent comments from Iranian officials concerning the renewed “maximum pressure campaign” initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. This campaign was reinstated shortly after Trump began his second term in office, following his 2018 withdrawal from a significant nuclear agreement with Iran.
Despite the reestablishment of this policy, Trump has expressed a willingness to negotiate a new agreement with Tehran. President Pezeshkian remarked:
“We should not be afraid of sanctions,”
“Some say there is no alternative but to negotiate with them [the United States]. We did not say we would not negotiate, but we are not due to give in to bullies.”
He further criticized the idea of negotiating with those who, according to him, inflict harm on innocent civilians while professing to uphold human rights. Pezeshkian stated:
“We will not hold talks with those who bury women and children under their bombings while claiming to respect human rights.”
Additionally, President Pezeshkian reinforced that Iran does not seek conflict but aims to coexist peacefully with other Muslim nations in the region. He asserted that:
- Iran has not instigated tensions within the region.
- Such tensions have been primarily caused by Israel, which he claims acts aggressively without fear due to U.S. backing.
In a separate engagement with industrialists and economic stakeholders from southwestern Tehran Province, Pezeshkian reiterated his commitment to support the country’s production sector. He declared:
“We know that we are in an all-out economic war… We will do whatever we can to support the industry sector and entrepreneurs.”
“The enemy tries to create problems for the country’s production cycle. We will not allow this to happen.”
President Pezeshkian’s remarks highlight Iran’s determination to navigate challenging geopolitical landscapes while striving for economic stability and regional harmony.
