TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Saturday that Iran would not yield to U.S. Pressure as tensions escalate over Tehran’s nuclear program, following a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump indicating he is considering limited military strikes. Pezeshkian’s remarks came as the U.S. Continues to bolster its military presence in the Gulf region, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups and dozens of additional aircraft.
“We will not bow down in the face of any of these difficulties,” Pezeshkian declared during a ceremony honoring Iranian Paralympians. “World powers are lining up with cowardice to force us to bow our heads. Just as you did not bow down in the face of difficulties, we will not bow down in the face of these problems.”
Indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S. Regarding Tehran’s nuclear program resumed earlier this month in Oman, with a second round of talks held in Switzerland last week. While both Washington and Tehran have described the discussions as generally positive, a breakthrough remains elusive. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Friday that a diplomatic solution appears “within our reach,” and that Iran intends to finalize a draft agreement within “the next two to three days” for submission to Washington.
The escalating rhetoric and military posturing reach amid growing anxieties within Iran. Al Jazeera reported that residents of Tehran are closely monitoring diplomatic developments, with concerns ranging from general worry about war to fears for their children’s future. One Tehran resident questioned, “How can anyone not worry about war?” while a businessman expressed a belief that military conflict is inevitable, stating, “The Americans want surrender, and the Iranian state won’t accept that.” However, some Iranians remain optimistic, with one individual asserting, “The US knows it can’t overpower Iran… it will bow to Iran.”
Previous attempts at negotiation between Iran and the U.S. Faltered last year following attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, reportedly carried out by Israel, which triggered a 12-day conflict. The U.S. Subsequently bombed three Iranian nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – according to reports.
Trump renewed threats of military action in January following a crackdown on anti-government protesters in Iran. In response, Tehran warned it could strike U.S. Military bases in the region and potentially close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies. The U.S. Military build-up in the region is now the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with over 120 aircraft deployed in recent days, alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group joining the USS Abraham Lincoln already stationed in the Arabian Sea.
Iran has formally communicated its concerns to the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing that the U.S. Military build-up “must not be treated as mere rhetoric.” While reiterating its lack of interest in initiating conflict, Iran warned that any U.S. Aggression would be met with a “decisive and proportionate” response.
Trump, speaking at his inaugural Board of Peace meeting on Thursday, warned that “bad things will happen” if Iran does not reach a “meaningful deal.” He later clarified on Air Force One that Iran had approximately “10, 15 days, pretty much, maximum” to reach an agreement. On Friday, when asked about the possibility of limited military action during negotiations, Trump stated, “I guess I can say I am considering that,” and later urged Iran to “better negotiate a fair deal.”
Several countries, including Sweden, Serbia, Poland, and Australia, have advised their citizens in Iran to depart the country amid the heightened tensions.
