Pezeshkian Says Iran Talks Can Succeed Only Without Threats

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that negotiations with Iran can succeed only if they are conducted without pressure or threats, as diplomatic efforts to end months of fighting in the Middle East remain stalled.

Speaking at a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Turkmenistan, Pezeshkian said dialogue must be based on mutual respect and reciprocal commitments.

"Dialogue holds meaning and a chance of success only when based on mutual respect and mutual commitments, and when devoid of pressure and threat," he said.

"Negotiation conducted in the shadow of force is not negotiation, it is imposition and coercion."

His remarks came amid an impasse in efforts to end the seven-month conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Washington and Tehran agreed in June on a memorandum of understanding outlining a framework for ending the conflict, but talks later stalled after Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz prompted renewed U.S. military action.

Recent indirect negotiations held around the UN General Assembly also failed to produce a breakthrough.

Pezeshkian said sanctions against Iran would have wider consequences for regional trade, connectivity and energy.

Earlier this week, he also said talks with Washington were meaningless if accompanied by further attacks, sanctions and threats.

The United States has reduced military operations in recent weeks and has not struck Iran since Sept. 1, while shifting more heavily toward economic pressure.

Washington and Israel say the conflict is aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, an objective Tehran has repeatedly denied pursuing.

Negotiations have increasingly focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key Gulf oil shipping route that has been effectively closed during the fighting.

Iran has sought to control traffic through the strait and has targeted vessels it says are passing without authorization, while the United States has imposed restrictions on Iranian ports and struck vessels it accuses of violating them.

Pezeshkian also met Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the summit.

Putin said Russia was prepared to do everything within its power to help resolve the conflict and argued that Iran had made efforts to end the war.

Pezeshkian told Putin that Tehran wanted a "final framework" for ending the conflict but accused Washington of seeking to impose its policies.

"If the United States insists on pursuing a unilateral approach, a resolution will not be possible," he said.