Iranian President: Rational Dialogue is Still Possible, Maximum Pressure Will Not Succeed

Xinhua News Agency, Tehran/Baghdad, May 5 - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated during a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani on May 5 that while the United States is exerting maximum pressure on Iran, it simultaneously demands that Iran accept unilateral conditions in negotiations, a logic that is difficult to establish, and the related demands are "unrealistic."

Raisi pointed out that Iran has previously faced attacks during negotiations, and now, at a time of dialogue with the United States, it is once again facing military threats. He emphasized that Iran has always maintained a willingness to engage in dialogue within the framework of international law, but will never accept any external coercion. Rational dialogue is still possible, but advancing negotiations through threats and pressure will not yield results.

He stated that the current turmoil in the Middle East is related to certain actions that do not align with human rights principles. In the absence of sufficient trust in Iran's national leadership, political system, and people, effective dialogue is difficult to carry out in an environment filled with threats.

Raisi hopes that Iraq, during its engagement with the U.S., will persuade the U.S. to cease military threats.

The Iraqi Prime Minister's office issued a statement on May 5, saying that Al-Sudani expressed during the call that Iraq supports resolving disputes and mitigating crises through diplomatic means and dialogue. Al-Sudani expressed a willingness to play a mediating role between Iran and the United States.

The statement also mentioned that Al-Sudani and Raisi discussed bilateral relations and agreed to visit each other in the near future.