President Pezeshkian: Iran open to US deal if national interests respected

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed Iran’s readiness to clinch a deal after negotiations with the US on equal terms, provided that its national interests are protected.

In a meeting with the Iranian provincial governors at the Interior Ministry on April 21, Pezeshkian reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the promotion of political, economic, scientific and cultural relations with other countries, especially Islamic and neighbouring states, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

“We pursue constructive interaction with the other countries on the basis of mutual respect,” he noted.

Commenting on the two rounds of indirect talks with the US, the president said, “We are prepared for a deal in the negotiations with the US within the defined framework and with the protection of (our) national interests.”

“However, if they (US) do not want to negotiate with us on equal standing, we will keep to our own path,” he added.

Echoing remarks by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian said Iran is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the talks with the US.

Delegations from Iran and the US have held two rounds of talks in Muscat and Rome in the past two weeks with the purpose of reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on Iran.

The two sides have agreed to proceed with technical talks at the level of experts in Oman on April 23, to be followed by a meeting of top negotiators on April 26.

By Khagan Isayev