Tehran, Aug 2026 : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran remains prepared to negotiate with the United States but stressed that Iran continues to view Washington with caution and will fulfil its commitments only if the other side reciprocates.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a televised interview broadcast on Friday night, responding to questions about whether ongoing diplomatic efforts could revive the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States in June and help restore what Tehran describes as Iran’s rights.
The Iranian president said negotiations could move forward if Washington responds with actions that are reciprocal and proportionate. He acknowledged that neither side may achieve all of its objectives but maintained that dialogue remains possible if both parties adhere to their commitments.
“We can move forward” if Iran’s actions are met with reciprocal and proportional steps from the other side, Pezeshkian said.
Under the June MoU, the United States was expected to lift a naval blockade and sanctions targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors, while also releasing Iranian assets that had been frozen under sanctions. Pezeshkian said Iran had exported nearly 90 million barrels of oil during the period in which the agreement was being implemented.
“The main issue is that we must be committed to the MoU we have written. When we sit down at the negotiating table, we can talk to them,” he said, indicating that Tehran remains open to discussions provided the commitments already agreed upon are respected.
The United States and Iran signed the agreement on June 18 as part of efforts to end the conflict across the region, including hostilities involving Lebanon. The two countries were expected to begin negotiations within 60 days, with the deadline falling on August 17, to work towards a comprehensive final agreement.
However, the future of the negotiations remains uncertain following renewed escalation between Washington and Tehran last month. The deteriorating relationship has raised doubts over whether the commitments outlined in the June understanding can be restored through diplomacy.
Pezeshkian’s comments also came as Iran faces mounting economic difficulties at home. The country continues to deal with inflation, unemployment and pressure on prices and markets, adding to the challenges confronting the government.
In a separate message marking Government Week on Friday, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for serious attention to the country’s economic and livelihood problems. He stressed the need for stronger economic growth, greater investment and increased domestic production to overcome the difficulties facing Iran.
Khamenei said greater reliance on domestic production should form a central part of Iran’s economic strategy. At the same time, he said imports should be used “properly and wisely” in areas where domestic production is unable to meet demand.
He also called for national unity and the preservation of social cohesion, warning against statements that could create hopelessness or undermine public confidence and motivation.
The emphasis on economic challenges comes amid intensified pressure from Washington. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced what he described as “the most crushing economic operation ever taken” against any country providing a lifeline to Iran.
Trump warned that the campaign would amount to “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” describing it as an “ECONOMIC D-DAY.”
Against this backdrop, Pezeshkian’s remarks suggest that Tehran is keeping the door open to diplomacy while seeking guarantees that any future agreement will be honoured by both sides. His comments underline Iran’s position that negotiations can succeed only when commitments are mutual and supported by concrete action.
