No longer trust talks with US: Iran prez Masoud Pezeshkian

Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ruled out an easy return to direct negotiations with the United States, saying Tehran’s confidence in Washington has been badly damaged by repeated military attacks and sanctions following earlier diplomatic efforts, Times of India reported.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian said Qatar and Pakistan were acting as intermediaries and passing messages between Tehran and Washington. He said any renewed engagement would have to address an earlier memorandum of understanding and require the US to clarify its position on the agreement.

Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of attempting to weaken Iran through military pressure and economic sanctions, but said Tehran would continue to rely on its own population and resist external pressure. He also claimed Washington and Israel had expected Iran’s government to collapse quickly after the conflict began, but said Iranians had instead remained united.

The comments came amid stalled diplomatic efforts over an Iranian proposal for a seven-day ceasefire. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks if Washington accepted a series of conditions.

Under the proposal, the US would halt its naval blockade of Iranian ports, ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports and observe a broader ceasefire. Iran would then restore shipping through the strategic waterway and return to nuclear negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has rejected the proposal. US officials have also indicated that American military action could resume after the November midterm elections.

Pezeshkian, meanwhile, called for regional countries to address security through cooperation rather than dependence on an external power.