Iranian President Accuses US of Insincere Diplomacy Amid Tensions
In a fiery address marking the 46th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of engaging in insincere diplomatic overtures while simultaneously working to undermine his government, Al Jazeera reports.
Speaking to a large crowd in Tehran on Monday, Pezeshkian criticized US President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly the “maximum pressure” campaign, aimed at crippling Iran’s economy.
Pezeshkian argued that Trump’s actions contradict his claims of wanting to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program.
“Trump says he wants to negotiate, yet at the same time, he signs off on every possible conspiracy to bring this revolution to its knees,” he declared at Azadi Square, referencing the recent reimposition of sanctions. “He claims to be open to dialogue, but while saying so, he accuses Iran of destabilizing the region.”
Despite the tensions, Pezeshkian asserted, “We are not looking for war,” but also emphasized that Iran “will never bow to foreigners.”
The Iranian Revolution anniversary celebrations, marking the ouster of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the return of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from exile in 1979, saw large-scale participation this year. Iranian officials encouraged citizens to attend in large numbers following Trump’s sanctions announcement.
Television broadcasts showed hundreds of thousands of people flooding streets across major cities, chanting slogans against the US and Israel, carrying portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian flag. American flags were also burned during the demonstrations.
Pezeshkian blamed the US for attempting to “divide” the country.
“If we join hands, we are capable of resolving all the country’s problems.”
He also condemned the US for its support of Israel’s actions in the region, accusing Israel of “bombing the innocent people of Gaza, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and anywhere it wants.”
The Iranian president’s remarks come on the heels of Trump’s own statements on February 4, where he expressed hope for “a deal” with Iran while unveiling new sanctions. Trump also issued a stark warning that if Iran attempted to assassinate him, the country would be “obliterated”:
“I’ve left instructions — if they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left.”
In November 2024, the US Justice Department announced that it had thwarted an Iranian plot to kill Trump, allegations that were dismissed by Iranian officials at the time.
