Tehran, Iran – In a significant political and military development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday set a clear condition for returning to the negotiating table with Washington regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Tehran will not enter into any talks before the complete lifting of the naval blockade imposed on it. This statement comes at a time of intense diplomatic activity and escalating economic pressure in the region.
Behind the scenes of the meeting with the Supreme Leader and the internal pressures
In a press statement, Pezeshkian revealed details of his recent meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, explaining that the meeting lasted more than two and a half hours. He also stated that the meeting was characterized by an atmosphere of “absolute trust and frank, direct dialogue.” The Iranian president indicated that the state is fully aware of the extent of foreign conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the country internally through the weapon of “economic pressure.” He emphasized that the ultimate goal of these scenarios is to incite citizens to take to the streets, weaken the structure of the government, and dismantle national unity.
Trump is optimistic, while Tehran sets conditions.
Pezeshkian’s remarks come as an indirect response to the optimism expressed by US President Donald Trump, who announced on Wednesday that “very good talks” had taken place with the Iranian side in the past 24 hours. Trump went even further, saying that reaching an agreement was “very possible.” He added, in his characteristic style, “I think we have won in Iran.”
Despite the optimistic tone emanating from Washington, Pezeshkian’s speech today reflected a firm commitment to Iran’s fundamental position that breaking the naval blockade is a first step. This step must precede any agreements concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the most vital waterway for global energy trade. The strait is also the site of ongoing military tensions.
Pakistani mediation and an anticipated date
On the diplomatic front, US media reports indicate that negotiations between the two sides may officially resume next week in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. This coincides with confirmations from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which acknowledged the continued exchange of messages through the Pakistani mediator. This suggests that the region is on the cusp of a critical phase of negotiations under pressure. In this context, Tehran is attempting to leverage maritime security in exchange for easing the economic blockade, while Washington seeks to extract comprehensive strategic concessions.
