Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected the idea of negotiating with the United States while under threat, responding to the President of the United States Donald Trump's calls for a new nuclear agreement. State media reported on Tuesday that Pezeshkian apparently told Trump to "do whatever the hell you want," saying that the pressure tactics employed by the U.S would not work on Iran. Before Pezeshkian's statement, a speech was made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, who said that Tehran would not be coerced into talks, just days after Trump claimed he sent a letter urging discussions.
Trump has said that a strategy of maximum pressure designed to isolate Iran economically and lower its oil exports would be important, which were the same tactics employed during his first term. Trump told Fox Business last week that while he is ready to negotiate, Iran must be dealt with “militarily or through an agreement” to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. Iran has denied intentions of pursuing nuclear arms, but it has quickly escalated uranium enrichment to 60% purity, which is close to weapons-grade levels, as noted by the UN’s atomic watchdog (IAEA).
Since 2019, Tehran has been expanding its nuclear activities, which has further strained relations between them and the United States. The U.S. says that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a global danger, while Iran argues that its program is peaceful and states that Washington is employing bullying tactics. With both sides taking a hard stance against each other, the prospects for renewed diplomacy are unlikely.