Daijiworld Media Network- Tehran
Tehran, Apr 22: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday expressed his administration’s willingness to reach an agreement with the United States through ongoing indirect talks—provided the Islamic Republic’s national interests are fully respected.
Speaking during a high-level meeting in Tehran, President Pezeshkian said, “We are open to an agreement with the US within a clearly defined framework and with full respect for our national interests.” However, he firmly warned that Iran will continue on its independent path should the negotiations fail to be held on equal terms.
Echoing the cautious stance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian president noted that the country remains “neither optimistic nor pessimistic” about the ongoing dialogue.
“We do not seek confrontation with any nation,” Pezeshkian said, “but we will never accept bullying or pressure.”
His remarks come in the backdrop of a second round of indirect US-Iran talks held in Rome this past Saturday, under the mediation of Oman. The first round was convened in Muscat on April 12, and a third meeting is scheduled for this coming Saturday in Oman’s capital.
At a weekly press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei reaffirmed that lifting US sanctions remains Tehran’s central demand.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump termed the latest discussions as “very good,” and acknowledged that progress has been made. “The next step is we need a little time,” Trump told reporters, referring to the talks that followed his earlier proposal for negotiations via a letter sent to Iranian leadership in March.
Notably, Trump has also issued a cautionary warning, indicating possible military action should Tehran reject further talks.
The renewed diplomatic push comes amid continued efforts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which saw Iran agree to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. The deal collapsed after the US, under Trump’s leadership, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually roll back its commitments.
The world watches closely as both nations engage in a delicate dance of diplomacy with regional and global implications.