TEHRAN, Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran-US talks could resume, including on Tehran’s nuclear programme, if Washington lifts sanctions and abandons what he described as pressure and unilateralism.
“We are ready for dialogue,” Pezeshkian told India Today. He said any nuclear negotiations should remain within the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and international law.
Pezeshkian also questioned why the United States wanted to restart negotiations rather than build on an earlier understanding that he said Pakistan had drawn up.
He argued that the previous framework remained consistent with legal, scientific and internationally recognised principles. The Iranian president credited Pakistan with extensive efforts to promote regional peace and security.
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He said Qatar had also worked to help implement the understanding reached through those efforts. “Our position is the same as what we said before,” Pezeshkian said, calling on Washington to lift sanctions and stop dealing with Tehran “through force.”
Pezeshkian also expressed uncertainty over which statements by U.S. President Donald Trump represented Washington’s final position.
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He separately rejected accusations that Iran initiated the conflict, saying Tehran had acted in self-defence after coming under attack.