Iran rejects talks under pressure, siege

In his fifth phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran's firm stance against negotiating under duress. He stated Iran will not enter into talks imposed by pressure, threats, or the ongoing US naval blockade. Pezeshkian emphasized that as long as hostile US actions and operational pressures continue, rebuilding trust and making progress in dialogue will be difficult. He recommended the US first remove operational obstacles, including the blockade, to create grounds for resolving issues.