Iran would be able to withstand a collapse in nuclear talks with the United States, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday, responding after President Donald Trump characterized the most recent discussions with Tehran as “very good.”
Efforts are ongoing to settle the long-standing disagreement over Iran’s nuclear activities, with Trump warning of severe sanctions and potential military action if a new deal is not reached.
Commenting on the negotiations, Pezeshkian was quoted by Iranian state outlets saying, “It’s not like we will die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions. We will find a way to survive.” His statement underscored Iran’s insistence that it can endure U.S. pressure.
Both nations have much at stake in the outcome of these negotiations.
Trump is determined to limit Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, which he sees as a threat to regional stability and particularly to Israel. Iran, meanwhile, insists its program is peaceful and is seeking relief from the punishing sanctions that have battered its oil-dependent economy.
The fifth round of discussions concluded in Rome last week. Although negotiators reported minor advancements, numerous core issues—particularly Iran’s uranium enrichment—remain unresolved.
Responding to speculation that Iran might agree to pause enrichment for three years as part of a deal, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei firmly rejected that notion at a press briefing. “Iran will never accept that,” he declared.
Baghaei also denied that an interim deal was being explored, rejecting rumors that a temporary arrangement might be used to build toward a comprehensive agreement.
He said Iran was currently waiting for Oman, which is serving as a go-between, to provide specifics on when the sixth round of negotiations would take place.
“If there is goodwill from the American side, we are also optimistic, but if negotiations are aimed at curbing Iran’s rights then talks will get nowhere,” Baghaei stated.
{Matzav.com}