
Iran has rejected direct negotiations with US in response to Trump's letter
However, such talks have made no progress since Trump in his first term unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers in 2018.
In the years since, regional tensions have boiled over into attacks at sea and on land. Then came the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, which saw Israel target militant group leaders across Iran's self-described «Axis of Resistance».
Now, as the US conducts intense airstrikes targeting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen, the risk of military action targeting Iran's nuclear programme remains on the table.
«We don't avoid talks; it's the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far,» Pezeshkian said in televised remarks during a Cabinet meeting. «They must prove that they can build trust.»
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The White House offered no immediate reaction to the announcement.
Iran's position hardens after Trump's letter
Having Pezeshkian announced the decision shows just how much has changed in Iran since his election half a year ago after he campaigned on a promise to re-engage with the West.
Since Trump's election and the resumption of his «maximum pressure» campaign on Tehran, Iran's rial currency has gone into a freefall.
Pezeshkian had left open talks up until Iran's 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came down hard on Trump in February and warned talks «are not intelligent, wise or honourable» with his administration. The Iranian president then immediately toughened his own remarks on the US.
Meanwhile, there have been mixed messages coming from Iran for weeks. Videos from Quds, or Jerusalem, Day demonstrations on Friday had people in the crowds instructing participants to only shout: «Death to Israel!» Typically, «Death to