Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, has responded assertively to Donald Trump’s recent intensification of his campaign against Iran.
During a session with the Iran Entrepreneurs Forum held in Tehran, President Pezeshkian delivered a comprehensive reply to Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ initiative, which targets Iran’s economic and political spheres.
Pezeshkian emphasized that ‘Iran is not Ukraine’ and expressed his unwillingness to enter negotiations with the United States under the same conditions offered to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The media was abuzz following Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last month, which included a televised debate between the two leaders.
The encounter was intense and at times uncomfortable, leading Trump to suggest that Ukraine is ‘playing with World War III.’ Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for his attire and perceived lack of gratitude toward the US.
Trump later remarked that the US is ‘doing very well with Russia’ and suggested that dealings with Moscow might be simpler than those with Kyiv.
Pezeshkian voiced skepticism about negotiating with the US, accusing it of initiating a campaign of force against Iran.
The Iranian president stated that while the nation’s private sector seeks empowerment, it aims to strengthen itself against Western sanctions.
He declared: “If we do not sanction ourselves, America or anyone else will not be able to easily sanction us.”
The relationship between Iran and the US deteriorated further when Trump, during his presidency, withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018.
The JCPOA required Iran to take steps to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for reduced sanctions.
However, once the US exited the agreement, the Trump administration initiated a ‘maximum pressure’ campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s economy through severe sanctions on oil exports, banking, and other key sectors.
While Iran has expressed a willingness to negotiate the lifting of these sanctions, it refuses to do so under the terms Trump has proposed to other leaders, such as Zelenskyy.
Pezeshkian criticized Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy, asserting via state media: “We must maintain relationships with the world. We do not want to be estranged or quarrel with anyone, but that does not mean we will bow in humiliation before anyone.”
“We may die with honor, but we will never live in disgrace.”
He also decried Trump’s conduct in the Oval Office as ‘truly shameful’ and stated: “If negotiations are conducted with dignity and based on mutual respect and shared interests, we will sit down and talk. But the language of threats and coercion is absolutely unacceptable.”
Pezeshkian dismissed an ultimatum from Trump, after reports surfaced of a letter from the US president demanding that Tehran cease its nuclear and missile activities in return for relief from sanctions.
Offering a final warning to Trump, Pezeshkian asserted: “It is unacceptable for us that they give orders and make threats. I won’t even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want.”