US President Donald Trump has declared that any future agreement with Iran must be “great and meaningful,” warning that Washington will reject any deal resembling the controversial 2015 nuclear accord.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump criticised the previous JCPOA agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, calling it a failed arrangement that allegedly opened the path for Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He stressed that his administration would not accept a weak compromise with Tehran.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would never bow to foreign pressure or “excessive demands.” Addressing business leaders in Tehran, he insisted Iran seeks diplomacy that protects national rights and dignity while resisting economic and political coercion.
Pezeshkian said Iran remained committed to avoiding wider conflict, adding that mutual respect and dialogue were the only sustainable alternatives to war.
At the same time, China urged both sides to maintain the current momentum toward de-escalation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said continued dialogue was essential for regional stability and called for a political solution acceptable to all parties.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei revealed that Tehran and Washington had reached a preliminary framework on several issues during recent indirect talks. However, he clarified that a final agreement was still far away and current negotiations were mainly focused on ending the ongoing conflict rather than reviving nuclear discussions.
Baghaei also acknowledged mediation efforts by Pakistan and other regional countries, saying backchannel diplomacy had helped create recent progress in talks. He added that discussions included regional security concerns, including the situation in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran further warned it would respond to any hostile actions “at the right time and in the right manner,” while reaffirming coordination with Gulf countries to maintain security in the strategic waterway.
The latest developments signal cautious diplomatic movement between Washington and Tehran, but major disagreements and mistrust continue to cast uncertainty over any final breakthrough.
