Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, emphasizing a preference for diplomacy over conflict.
In a recent address to naval officials in Bandar Abbas, Pezeshkian stated, “We are not seeking war, we favor negotiation and dialogue, but we are not afraid of threats either, and we will in no way retreat from our legal rights.”
This stance reflects Iran’s determination to maintain its nuclear program for civilian purposes while engaging in talks to resolve longstanding tensions. However, despite four rounds of indirect negotiations, a central impasse remains: uranium enrichment. The U.S., under the Trump administration, insists on a complete halt to Iran’s enrichment activities, viewing any level of enrichment as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons.
Conversely, Iran asserts its right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty for peaceful energy needs. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that enrichment is a “hard-earned and homegrown scientific achievement” and declared that it would continue “with or without a deal.”
President Trump has indicated that a new agreement with Iran is “very close,” suggesting that Iran has “sort of” agreed to the terms. However, he warned that failure to finalize a deal could lead to severe consequences, including potential military action. The proposed deal reportedly includes Iran halting uranium enrichment for up to three years to build international trust, with enrichment potentially resuming later at a 3.75% purity level, consistent with the 2015 agreement that Trump withdrew from in 2018.
Israel remains a critical factor in these negotiations. Iranian officials have expressed concerns about Israeli influence on U.S. policy, with Ayatollah Khamenei criticizing the U.S. and Israel for regional instability. Iran has indicated a willingness to compromise if Israel does not unduly influence negotiations.
As talks progress, both sides face pressure to reach a resolution. The U.S. seeks to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, while Iran aims to alleviate economic sanctions and assert its rights under international law.
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