On the 20th local time, Iranian President Pervazizadeh met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Munir.
Pèze Xiqiyang said that the United States must first lift its threats and sanctions before negotiations can continue. He claimed that during diplomatic negotiations, the United States launched attacks on Iran, and the Iranian people no longer trust Washington. "All problems in the region stem from tensions and escalating conflicts, from the chaos at the Strait of Hormuz, all rooted in American aggression."
Pezeshijian emphasized that Washington must first demonstrate through practical actions its willingness to eliminate threats and lift sanctions, thereby creating conditions for dialogue.
He asked, “It’s impossible for the United States to keep increasing sanctions and pressure day by day, blocking all avenues and channels leading to Iran, while still claiming to want dialogue and negotiation. What kind of ‘dialogue’ is that?”
Pezeshchiyan said, "Iran was willing to engage in dialogue in the past, and it is still willing to do so now. But the Americans must first lift their threats and sanctions, and then we can talk. If Washington truly seeks negotiations and agreements, then its current actions are completely contrary to these statements, and are logically impossible."
Peyzriyan warned that the United States cannot achieve its goals through war. Such actions will only lead to destruction and loss. Moreover, it is not just Iran that will suffer from this destruction; the entire region will be affected. He stated that Tehran does not wish to see such a result.
On the 20th local time, Reuters quoted senior Iranian officials as saying that Iran is deliberately delaying negotiations with the United States in an attempt to weaken President Trump's political position before the U.S. mid-term elections in November. Concerns about a new round of military actions, along with deep distrust of Washington, have strengthened Tehran's reluctance to reach an agreement quickly.
Three senior Iranian officials and one Iranian insider stated under anonymity that Iran is convinced that the United States is preparing to resort to another attack, in an attempt to break the deadlock of this war that has lasted for eight months.
This war has pushed Trump’s support rate to a record low. Polls show that due to Americans' concerns about high gasoline prices, they may punish the Republican Party, which Trump represents, in the November 3rd congressional elections.
Trump has repeatedly stated that he expects oil prices to fall after the election, but has never proposed a detailed plan for ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials said that Tehran refused to make concessions that it believed might be politically advantageous to Trump. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that any breakthrough in negotiations will occur before the U.S. mid-term elections.
