Labelled Us Terrorists’: Iran’s Pezeshkian Says Tehran No Longer Trusts US After Talks Collapse

‘We no longer trust US’: Pezeshkian says past talks followed by attacks, sanctions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran no longer trusts negotiations with Washington, arguing that previous rounds of talks were followed by attacks, sanctions and other punitive measures.

Speaking to Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Pezeshkian said Iran had engaged in four or five rounds of negotiations with the US but had repeatedly seen diplomatic efforts followed by military and economic pressure.

“We have no trust in the American side and do not know on what basis an understanding can be reached with it,” Pezeshkian said.

Referring to US President Donald Trump’s UNGA speech, Pezeshkian accused Washington of threatening Iran and said Iranians had been labelled “terrorists”.

“This is the fourth or fifth time we’ve held talks. What has happened, and continues to happen, is that we no longer trust these talks. No matter how much we negotiate, after a while, they start attacking us, imposing sanctions, and taking the kind of actions they have taken before,” he said.

Iran sends proposal through Qatar

Despite his criticism, Pezeshkian said Tehran remained open to diplomacy.

Iran has conveyed a proposal to Washington through Qatari mediators under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days if specified conditions are met. The proposal also envisages broader negotiations to end the conflict.

Pezeshkian said Tehran was waiting for Washington to respond.

“At least, we have reached an understanding on a framework and announced it. Now, the Americans have to respond. Are they willing to move forward within this framework, or do they want to derail the process again?” he said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has similarly said Tehran is awaiting the mediators’ formal communication of Washington’s position.

Trump rejects Iran’s proposal

US President Donald Trump, however, said on Saturday that he had rejected Tehran’s proposal.

Trump told reporters that Iran wanted an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz because, in his view, the country was under severe economic pressure from the US blockade.

“They want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they’re losing so badly,” Trump said.

Iran’s proposal reportedly included conditions involving the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions on Iranian oil sales and a ceasefire covering the wider region.

The development has further complicated efforts to restart negotiations, with Tehran continuing to insist that a diplomatic settlement is possible while Washington has rejected the latest proposal.

Pezeshkian has maintained that Iran does not seek war but is prepared to defend itself against pressure and attacks. In a separate interview with CBS, he said Tehran was willing to discuss its nuclear programme and other issues but would not accept “bullying or coercion”.