US cannot expect talks while blockading and threatening Iran, says Pezeshkian

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the United States cannot continue its blockade and threats against Iran and expect talks at the same time. Muslim Network TV, citing the state news agency IRNA, reported his remarks, which came on Wednesday.

Pezeshkian said Washington needed to recognise the rights of the Iranian nation and give up bullying and aggression. Only then, he said, could the sides sit down and talk. In his words, one cannot seek dialogue by closing all routes and issuing threats. He called it a contradictory approach for the United States to apply pressure on one hand and demand talks on the other.

The Iranian president also stressed the need to honour agreements. He said one should not rush into an agreement, but once it is reached, one must stand by it to the end, even if the terms become unfavourable. He also accused the United States of failing to fulfil its obligations.

According to Muslim Network TV, the conflict began on 28 February, when US and Israeli forces attacked Iran. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and on various locations in the region, and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. The United States then imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. In June, the two countries reached a memorandum of understanding on free passage through the strait, but its implementation has stalled because of differences over security arrangements.

According to Iran International, Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said on Saturday that Tehran had conveyed a message through Pakistani mediators that the strait would be opened if the United States ended the blockade. He said President Trump rejected the proposal by insisting on continuing the blockade. The Tasnim news agency, which is linked to the Revolutionary Guards, citing an informed source, denied any such new offer. It said Iran does not accept the principle of keeping the strait in exchange for the blockade. President Trump said both an attack and a major deal remained possible.