Iran Says It Will Continue U.S. Nuclear Talks Despite Threats/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed ongoing nuclear negotiations with the U.S., dismissing President Trump’s threats of military action. Tehran insists it won’t surrender its nuclear rights or enrichment capabilities.
Iran Nuclear Talks Update: Quick Looks
- President Pezeshkian confirms talks with U.S. will continue
- Iran won’t surrender enrichment rights despite Trump threats
- Trump warns of military action if no deal reached
- U.S. proposal delivered during ongoing nuclear discussions
- Iran’s nuclear program under extensive IAEA inspections
- Israel’s threats further complicate negotiations amid Gaza conflict
- Supreme Leader Khamenei criticizes Trump, reiterates anti-Israel stance
- Talks now at “expert level”, focused on technical terms
- U.S. intelligence says Iran not yet pursuing a bomb
Deep Look: Iran Dismisses Trump’s Threats, Presses Ahead With U.S. Nuclear Talks
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, brushing aside threats of military action from President Donald Trump and pledging that Iran would not relinquish its nuclear rights.
Speaking during a televised address to navy officials, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is “not after war” but won’t bow to intimidation.
“We are negotiating, and we will negotiate,” he said. “But it is not like they think if they threaten us, we will give up our human and definite rights.”
He added that Iran would not sacrifice its military, scientific, or nuclear advancements under pressure, signaling a hardening stance even as talks progress.
High-Stakes Negotiations
The U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations have now reached the “expert level”, where technical teams from both sides are working on the fine print of a potential agreement. However, a key point of contention remains Iran’s enrichment of uranium — a process Tehran insists is non-negotiable, while Washington wants scaled back or eliminated altogether.
President Trump, who has returned to power vowing to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, has repeatedly threatened airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities if talks fail. During his Middle East visit this week, he reiterated his stance that the U.S. “cannot allow Iran to obtain the bomb.”
Although U.S. intelligence assessments continue to hold that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, analysts warn that the country’s enriched uranium stockpile is nearing weapons-grade levels, keeping the window for diplomacy narrow.
Iran: Program Peaceful, Fully Monitored
Iranian Atomic Energy Organization head Mohammad Eslami responded by reaffirming that the nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and remains under constant surveillance by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“No country is monitored like us,” Eslami said on state TV. “In 2024 alone, our facilities were inspected over 450 times — nearly 25% of all global inspections by the IAEA.”
Israel Tensions and Regional Unrest
The situation is further complicated by Israel’s repeated threats to take unilateral military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure if it feels existentially threatened — a risk magnified by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and escalating regional unrest.
Khamenei Responds to Trump Visit
In his first remarks since Trump’s regional trip, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered a scathing critique, accusing Trump of hypocrisy and condemning the U.S. for enabling violence in Gaza.
“Trump claimed he seeks peace through strength — but he used strength for massacres,” Khamenei said during a televised speech to educators.
He accused Washington of providing “10-ton bombs” to Israel and supporting civilian-targeted attacks in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.
Khamenei reiterated his call for the elimination of the “Zionist regime,” calling Israel a “dangerous cancerous tumor” and blaming U.S. military support for prolonging regional conflict.
“The model of Arab nations relying on U.S. support has failed,” Khamenei said. “With the help of regional nations, the U.S. must leave — and it will.”
Background: The Sanctions Legacy
Iran’s hardline stance stems in part from the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump withdrew from in 2018, reimposing harsh sanctions that battered Iran’s economy.
Since then, Tehran has gradually reduced its compliance with nuclear restrictions, while Washington’s demands have escalated, particularly under Trump’s second term.
Despite current negotiations, many Iranian leaders remain deeply skeptical of American intentions, viewing Washington’s posture as an extension of pressure rather than a path to diplomacy.
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