‘Do Whatever the Hell You Want’: Iran’s Pezeshkian Rejects US Negotiations

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed the possibility of negotiations with the United States under threats, bluntly telling President Donald Trump to “do whatever the hell you want,” Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.

“It is unacceptable for us that they [the US] give orders and make threats. I won’t even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.

His remarks follow a statement by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, where he asserted that Tehran would not be bullied into talks. This came a day after Trump claimed to have sent a letter urging Iran to engage in discussions over a new nuclear deal.

While Trump has expressed willingness for a deal, he has also reinstated the “maximum pressure” campaign from his first term—aiming to economically isolate Iran and cut its oil exports.

Speaking to Fox Business last week, Trump said, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal” to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear arms, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that Tehran is rapidly enriching uranium to 60% purity—just below the 90% needed for weapons-grade material.

Iran ramped up its nuclear activities in 2019, a year after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed heavy sanctions on the country.