Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a defiant response to recent criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that Iran will not yield to foreign intimidation.
In a live address broadcast on state television, Pezeshkian responded strongly to Trump’s remarks during his Gulf tour. “He [Trump] came here thinking slogans and threats could shake us. We are not afraid. Martyrdom is a more honorable fate for us than dying quietly. We will not submit to bullies,” he said.
Trump, speaking earlier at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh, reaffirmed his desire to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran, but insisted that Tehran must end its support for regional militant groups, abandon its proxy conflicts, and stop pursuing nuclear weapons in a verifiable manner.
Later that day, Trump reiterated his preference for diplomacy, warning, however, that if Iran refused to cooperate, the U.S. would escalate pressure. “It’s a dangerous situation,” he said. “We want peace, but peace takes both sides. If this spirals, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
On Tuesday, Trump stressed that he was extending an "olive branch" to Iran but warned of severe repercussions if it was rejected. “We will have no choice but to apply massive maximum pressure. Iran will never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon,” he stated.
Despite several rounds of indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Oman, tensions remain high. The legacy of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—a deal designed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief—continues to haunt efforts for a renewed agreement. Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA during his first term dealt a major blow to the accord.
Further stoking tensions, the U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on Wednesday, targeting six individuals and 12 entities allegedly involved in Iran’s ballistic missile production. These individuals and companies are accused of helping Tehran domestically source materials critical to missile development.
