Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran no longer trusts negotiations with the United States, according to a report by Qatar's Al Jazeera on September 26. This response follows U.S. President Donald Trump's effective rejection of a proposed seven-day ceasefire from the Iranian side.
In an interview aired on Al Jazeera, President Pezeshkian noted that military attacks and economic sanctions from the U.S. continued even after talks. He said, "We do not trust the U.S., and I do not know on what basis we can reach mutual understanding."
Previously, during their visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proposed a seven-day ceasefire to the U.S. The plan included an initial period of four to five days, reopening the Strait of Hormuz on the sixth day, and entering final negotiations on agreed topics on the seventh day. However, the main points of negotiation involve lifting the maritime blockade of Iranian ports, exempting Iranian oil from sanctions, and unfreezing $12 billion (approximately 16 trillion won) of Iranian assets.
President Pezeshkian also expressed willingness to accept nuclear inspections in an interview with CBS. When CBS host Margaret Brennan pointed out that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had not been granted full access, she asked if Iran would now allow inspections. Pezeshkian responded, "Absolutely correct," emphasizing that if they want to come for inspections, agreements can be reached on that specific issue during negotiations. He reiterated that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons, stating, "Developing nuclear weapons is haram (forbidden in Islam)."
In contrast, President Trump outright rejected any agreement with Iran. Speaking to reporters before leaving the White House on September 26, he said, "They (Iran) want to negotiate and open the Strait of Hormuz because they are losing badly," adding, "They want to make a deal, but I cannot accept their conditions." Trump also emphasized that the U.S. is "winning overwhelmingly" and has complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing government officials, that the U.S. is expected to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections.
In the Al Jazeera interview, President Pezeshkian highlighted that while enemies are trying to sow discord, Iran is demonstrating unprecedented unity and cohesion. He mentioned meeting with the reclusive Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei twice, including a seven-hour discussion on important issues. Mojtaba, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in late February due to U.S. and Israeli bombardments, has not appeared in public since the war began.
However, Foreign Minister Araghchi and his aides are expected to remain in New York until the end of the month to continue behind-the-scenes negotiations, according to the Times of Israel, citing Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. Minister Araghchi visited New York for the General Assembly on September 22 and has met with U.S. representatives, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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