Speaking at a press conference, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that while Tehran remains open to negotiations, it "will not engage in talks at any cost." According to the IRNA, Pezeshkian stated, "We are not seeking war, tensions, or nuclear weapons; we are seeking negotiations. However, the Americans must also prove that they are genuinely pursuing negotiations". This stance comes amid an escalating cycle of rhetoric initiated by Trump, who has recently urged for a new agreement to replace the deal he abandoned during his first term, even going as far as threatening bombing should Tehran refuse to come to the table.
Simultaneously, Nour News stressed that Tehran's position is clear: It rejects direct talks predicated on pressure and threats, instead preferring a gradual, indirect negotiation process. The Iranian leadership underscored that its commitment to a peaceful nuclear program is not merely political but is firmly underpinned by a fatwa issued by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, that prohibits the production, possession, and stockpiling of nuclear weapons.
In recent media remarks, Nournews characterized Trump's proposal as a "psychological operation" aimed at shifting public opinion both domestically and internationally. According to Nournews, the U.S. president's suggestion of "direct negotiations" is part of a more significant media maneuver designed to force Tehran into a defensive posture. The report noted that many Iranian officials see Trump's claims as supported by references from media outlets such as Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Associated Press as an attempt to orchestrate a narrative that forces Iran into the center of a constructed diplomatic game. Yet, top diplomatic sources in Tehran have categorically denied that any high-level talks have been held with Washington, insisting that any future negotiations would only be considered indirectly.
Pezeshkian's comments came as the Iranian leadership reiterated a clear demand: the United States must show a genuine intention to negotiate without coercion. As officials in Tehran have warned, any attempt by Washington to leverage military threats—including Trump's recent bombastic rhetoric—could undermine the prospects for a real diplomatic dialogue. One Iranian official summarized the mood, saying that while Tehran remains open to talks, 'if the U.S. continues to pursue its unilateral threats and pressures, there can be no foundation for genuine negotiations.'
The Iranian formulation of its stance also highlights a broader strategic context. There is growing concern among Iranian policymakers that Trump's threat of 'harsh military attacks' is instrumental in reinforcing an image of the U.S. as the sole aggressor. This has led Tehran to adopt what it calls a 'compound deterrence' strategy, bolstering both its military readiness and its network of regional alliances—a move broadly analyzed in publications such as Nournews.
Meanwhile, Tehran's call for negotiations is intertwined with its insistence on the non-negotiable nature of its nuclear policy, a policy grounded in religious and national principles. As the standoff continues, Tehran's leaders maintain that any meaningful dialogue must be premised on reciprocal gestures of good faith. For now, Tehran has ruled out direct talks with Washington, saying that while it remains committed to dialogue, the terms of engagement must be entirely on its terms, free from the coercive overtones that have characterized recent U.S. overtures.
Tensions are escalating in the media and on the diplomatic front, leaving the outcome of this high-stakes game uncertain. International observers closely watch every development in Tehran's evolving response to American pressure.