Iran refuses to yield under US pressure in nuclear negotiations

Iran’s President Vows to Stand Firm Amid Tensions with US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to not yielding to pressure from the United States. This comes as tensions in the Gulf region escalate, with the US increasing its military presence in the area.

The US has deployed two aircraft carriers and dozens of jets to the Middle East, a move described by some as the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Iran’s President Pezeshkian stated that his country will not be swayed by difficulties or pressure from other nations during a ceremony honouring members of the Iranian Paralympics team.

Indirect talks between Iran and the US on Tehran’s nuclear programme resumed in Oman earlier this month, with a second round held in Switzerland last week. While both countries described the talks as positive, no breakthrough was achieved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a diplomatic solution is within reach and plans to finalize a draft deal in the next two to three days.

Residents of Tehran are watching closely for signs of diplomatic progress, with some expressing concern about the potential for war. A businessman noted that military confrontation seems inevitable due to the US’s desire for surrender, while another man expressed optimism that Iran would not be easily defeated by the US.

The US and Iran have engaged in nuclear talks before, but previous efforts collapsed due to external factors such as Israel’s attacks on Iranian targets. The current tensions come after Trump issued new threats of military action following a deadly crackdown on antigovernment protesters in Iran. Tehran has responded by threatening to strike US military bases and warning that it could close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil exports.

Iran has emphasized that its build-up is not mere rhetoric, stating that any US aggression will be responded to “decisively and proportionately”. The US President later clarified his remarks, saying he was considering limited strikes as part of the negotiations.

Source: Al Jazeera