Iran Holds Deep Skepticism Toward U.S. Talks as Tehran Awaits Response to Proposed Deal

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran no longer places trust in negotiations with the United States, citing a history of previous talks followed by renewed attacks and sanctions. Speaking to Al Jazeera during a recent interview, Pezeshkian outlined Tehran's stance as the country awaits a reply to its latest proposal aimed at halting the ongoing conflict.

Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to the US for the United Nations gathering of world leaders, presenting a comprehensive deal designed to end fighting in the US-Israel war on Iran and unblock the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. According to Araghchi, initial steps would span four to five days, leading to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on the sixth day, followed by final-stage talks concerning Iran’s nuclear programme on day seven.

Under the proposed terms, Washington would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, release an estimated $12bn in frozen Iranian assets, and observe a regional ceasefire covering both Lebanon and Yemen. In exchange, Iran would reopen the vital trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz. Pezeshkian noted that mediators Qatar and Pakistan are actively conveying Iranian messages to Washington based on a previous memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached in June.

Addressing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian rejected claims of Iranian culpability, characterizing the blockade as a natural response after routes were cut off to Iran by the US. He reiterated that the crisis is resolvable through diplomacy rather than force.

Pezeshkian criticized the US and Israel for dragging regional countries into the war, asserting that Iran has not attacked any nation in two centuries and condemning the use of Islamic countries' airspace for strikes against Iranian targets. He also drew parallels between US sanctions on Iranian medicine and raw materials and Israeli tactics in Gaza, while emphasizing that regional security should be managed through local cooperation without the presence of a regional policeman.

Discussing domestic matters, Pezeshkian pointed to unprecedented unity and cohesion within the country, mentioning that he had met twice with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to address Iran's internal conditions and strategic goals.