Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that peace talks can only succeed if they are free of “pressure and threats,” as the months-long war in the Middle East remains deadlocked.
“Dialogue holds meaning and a chance of success only when based on mutual respect and mutual commitments, and when devoid of pressure and threat,” Pezeshkian told a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Turkmenistan.
His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump ruled out striking Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, saying Washington was holding “productive discussions” with Tehran.
“While Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and while the blockade will remain in full force and effect… we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections,” Trump wrote.
“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.
The Atlantic magazine reported Wednesday that the White House had asked the Pentagon to draw up options for strikes on Iranian targets that could be carried out before the midterms.
The New York Times reported Thursday that the plans were being developed despite Trump’s “ambivalence.”
