Iranian President Deems US Talks Useless, Warns of Escalating Attacks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered strong rhetoric in Tehran, asserting that negotiations with the United States are "meaningless" and will only lead to an escalation of attacks. He accused Washington of having the ultimate goal of "overthrowing the Iranian regime." These remarks come against the backdrop of repeatedly heightened US-Iran tensions in recent years, demonstrating Iran's firm resistance to external pressure. Since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed strict sanctions, the confrontation between Tehran and Washington has entered a new phase. Pezeshkian's comments coincide with the US strengthening its military presence in the Middle East, conducting frequent airstrikes, and tightening restrictions on Iranian oil exports, measures that Iran perceives as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.

In specific terms, Pezeshkian pointed out that any US-led negotiation framework lacks substance and cannot truly resolve the security and economic dilemmas facing Iran. He emphasized that continuing negotiations could prompt the United States to take military action again, further intensifying hostility between the two nations. This stance aligns with recent reports of Iranian "self-defense" operations in the Persian Gulf region, where Iran claimed to have responded to US airstrikes on its territory. Pezeshkian's position serves not only as a direct response to US policy but also as a political declaration to domestic conservative factions, highlighting the Iranian regime's tough posture in the face of external challenges.

Iran views the US objective as an attempt to "overthrow the regime." Since the Trump administration, the United States has repeatedly employed a three-pronged strategy of "sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and military threats" to weaken Iran's influence in the Middle East. Although the Biden administration displayed a willingness to return to the Iran nuclear deal diplomatically, it maintained strict sanctions on Iran in practice and coordinated military pressure on Tehran with allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. Pezeshkian's criticism undoubtedly serves as a strong counter to the US policy of "mixing soft and hard power," attempting to shift international attention from the nuclear issue to broader regional security and political stability.

These remarks carry profound implications for Iran and the entire Middle East. First, if negotiations are deemed ineffective, Iran may be more inclined to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, further expanding its military equipment and missile stockpiles, thereby posing a greater threat to neighboring countries. Second, the prospects for nuclear negotiations will dim further, as the US has continued to strengthen sanctions without providing sufficient economic incentives, weakening Iran's bargaining chips in the nuclear domain. Third, the regional security landscape may face higher uncertainty for countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in their defense and diplomatic strategies due to the intensified confrontation between Iran and the US. Finally, if Iran maintains its hardline stance, it may prompt external powers such as Russia to intervene, seeking to expand their influence in the Middle East and further complicating the regional balance of power.

Looking ahead, Iran may increase efforts to foster internal political unity to consolidate regime stability, while seeking to break through on the international stage through economic cooperation and finding new diplomatic partners. The United States, meanwhile, may seek a balance between pressure and negotiation, considering adjustments to its strategy between economic sanctions and military threats to reduce the risk of regional conflict without losing its influence over Iran. In any case, the Iranian president's remarks have become a focal point of international attention, directly influencing the future trajectory of US-Iran relations and security dynamics in the Middle East. (Source: Central News Agency)