Tehran, Aug 2026 : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran remains committed to pursuing peace and dialogue with the United States under a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), but stressed that Washington must first help rebuild trust between the two countries.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Pezeshkian said Iran was prepared to continue negotiations based on the provisions of the MoU, provided the United States abandons what Tehran views as an atmosphere of distrust and takes steps to establish confidence.
Pezeshkian said the current situation could provide an opportunity to reach an agreement, arguing that Iran was demonstrating unity and strength at home.
“We are determined to use the MoU as the basis provided that the United States lets go of the atmosphere of distrust it has created, and an atmosphere of trust is formed,” he said.
The Iranian President emphasised that negotiations must be based on reciprocity, with Tehran matching its commitments to the extent that Washington fulfils its own obligations.
Iran, he said, would not accept any attempt to impose an agreement through military or other forms of coercion. If the United States sought to resort to force, Tehran would not yield to such pressure.
Pezeshkian also indicated that major decisions concerning Iran’s approach to the negotiations would ultimately be guided by the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
His latest remarks come a day after he reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to dialogue while making clear that the country would not be forced to surrender its rights.
In an interview published on the website of his office on Friday, Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s decision to enter negotiations with Washington and sign the MoU aimed at ending the conflict.
He said Iran would continue to honour its commitments as long as the United States adhered to its own obligations under the understanding. However, he warned that Tehran would no longer consider itself bound by commitments that Washington failed to fulfil.
“Wherever they fail to fulfil their commitment, we have no obligation to continue,” Pezeshkian said.
The Iranian President’s comments come amid uncertainty over the future of negotiations following renewed tensions in the region. Iran and the United States signed the MoU in June, covering arrangements aimed at ending hostilities across several fronts, including Lebanon.
Under the understanding, the two sides were expected to conduct negotiations over a 60-day period with the objective of reaching a comprehensive agreement. However, subsequent regional escalation has raised questions over whether the planned talks can proceed as originally envisaged.
Pezeshkian has also faced speculation about divisions within Iran’s leadership over the agreement. Earlier this week, he rejected reports that he was considering stepping down and said he would continue his responsibilities with determination.
The President’s latest statements suggest that Tehran continues to view diplomacy as the preferred route to resolving differences with Washington, while maintaining that negotiations must be based on mutual commitments and respect for Iran’s rights.
At the same time, his warning against coercion highlights the fragile nature of the diplomatic process and the challenges facing efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
