On March 11, 2025, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told President Donald Trump, “Do whatever the hell you want,” refusing negotiations under threats.
Iranian state media quoted him saying, “It’s unacceptable for the U.S. to order us around—I won’t even talk.” This follows Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Saturday stance that Tehran won’t be bullied into talks, despite Trump’s recent letter pushing for a new nuclear deal.
Trump, reinstating his “maximum pressure” sanctions to choke Iran’s economy, told Fox Business last week, “Iran can be handled militarily or through a deal.” He aims to block Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, which Iran denies pursuing. Yet, the IAEA warns Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity near weapons-grade—faster since Trump axed the 2015 nuclear pact in 2018, triggering crippling sanctions.
Read: Iran’s Khamenei Rejects Trump’s Nuclear Talks as Bullying Tactic
Iran’s uranium push, nearing 90% purity, has escalated since 2019, defying U.S. isolation efforts. Pezeshkian’s defiance signals a hard line, echoing Khamenei’s resolve. With Trump blending threats and talks, the standoff deepens, leaving global powers on edge as Iran’s nuclear program races ahead.
