TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed readiness to reach a new agreement with the United States through ongoing indirect talks, as long as the country’s national interests remain safeguarded.
Speaking during a high-level meeting in Tehran, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, saying, “In the negotiations with the United States, we are ready for an agreement within a defined framework, while ensuring our national interests. However, if U.S. representatives refrain from negotiating with us on equal terms, we will continue on our own path.”
The president echoed sentiments previously shared by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, noting that the Islamic Republic maintains a neutral stance toward the talks. “Iran remains neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the negotiations. We do not want confrontation with anyone, but we will not tolerate pressure or bullying.”
Pezeshkian’s remarks came after the second round of indirect Iran-U.S. talks, held in Rome last Saturday with Oman acting as mediator. The first round took place in Muscat on April 12, and a third round is scheduled to return to the Omani capital this weekend.
Meanwhile, at a press briefing in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei reiterated that the removal of U.S. sanctions remains Iran’s key demand. “Lifting the sanctions is essential to any potential agreement,” Baghaei stated.
U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on the dialogue, described the talks as “very good,” noting, “We had very good meetings actually on Iran. The next step is we need a little time.”
Trump had earlier sent a letter to Iranian leadership in March proposing renewed talks focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme. However, he has since warned that military action remains on the table if Iran refuses to engage.
The renewed diplomatic efforts come amid continued uncertainty over the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers—Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States.
Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to scale back its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Trump, reimposing economic sanctions that led Iran to scale down its compliance.
Despite multiple rounds of talks since then, efforts to revive the agreement have made limited progress.
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