Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that negotiations with the United States can succeed only if they are conducted without pressure, threats or coercion. Speaking on Friday at a regional summit in Turkmenistan, he stressed that dialogue must be based on mutual respect and commitments to achieve a lasting peace. His remarks came amid a prolonged Middle East conflict, with diplomatic efforts to end the fighting remaining stalled and tensions continuing over regional security and trade.

Addressing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, Pezeshkian warned that negotiations conducted under military or economic pressure would amount to coercion rather than genuine diplomacy. He also cautioned that sanctions imposed on Iran could affect regional trade, connectivity, energy supplies and the wider regional order. The Iranian president's comments reflected Tehran's position that meaningful negotiations require assurances that commitments made during discussions will be respected by all parties.

Pezeshkian had also expressed doubts about the value of negotiations with Washington earlier in the week, arguing that previous diplomatic efforts had been followed by renewed attacks and pressure on Iran. The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, when Washington and Tehran were engaged in negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. Although the parties subsequently agreed to a memorandum of understanding in June outlining a framework for a permanent resolution, tensions escalated again following attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of US military operations.

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Diplomatic efforts have remained at an impasse since then, with indirect discussions between Iranian and US representatives on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly failing to produce a breakthrough. Washington has reportedly shifted greater emphasis towards economic pressure in recent weeks, while the supplied account states that the United States had not launched strikes against Iran since September 1. The continued absence of progress has complicated efforts to establish a durable ceasefire and resolve the broader disagreements between the two countries.

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a central point of concern because of its importance to international shipping and energy supplies. Iran has sought to exercise control over the strategic waterway and has targeted vessels attempting to pass without its authorisation, according to the report. The United States, meanwhile, has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and struck vessels it accused of violating the restrictions. Disruptions to shipping through the strait have raised concerns about global energy markets and regional economic stability.

The United States and Israel have maintained that their military campaign was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an objective Tehran has repeatedly denied pursuing. The dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, alongside competing military and economic measures, continues to complicate diplomatic efforts. Pezeshkian's latest remarks underline Tehran's insistence that any renewed negotiations must take place without coercive pressure, as the conflict and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect regional security and international commerce.

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