President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s comprehensive oversight of the indirect nuclear negotiations with the US, while dismissing any notion of Iran engaging in “talks for the sake of talks.”
“These negotiations are being conducted with full coordination and authorization from the Leader,” the President stated during a Tuesday meeting with a group of clergymen in Tehran.
“Our goal is to genuinely resolve issues, not to engage in talks for the sake of talks. We are seriously pursuing tangible results and hope this process will lead to concrete outcomes,” Pezeshkian added.
Talks with US aim for results, authorized by Leader: @drpezeshkianhttps://t.co/ahNYbjEoHv pic.twitter.com/N7QhEzJJgu
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) February 17, 2026
The remarks came as the second round of renewed nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US concluded in Geneva on the same day. The Iranian team reported “good progress,” while reiterating that the process must result in the verifiable removal of the illegal and unilateral American sanctions imposed on the country.
Addressing the negotiations, Imam Khamenei denounced Washington’s attempts to predetermine any specific outcome, stating, “To predetermine the outcome before talks even begin is wrong and foolish.” He added, “This is precisely the foolish approach being taken by American presidents, certain senators, the current president, and others.”
The Leader further warned that the United States was “seeking to dominate the Iranian nation.” However, he affirmed that the Iranian people, grounded in their rich culture, historical precedence, and values, would “never pledge allegiance to corrupt figures like those currently in power in the United States.”
The Islamic Republic has consistently vowed not to yield to excessive demands from Washington and its allies throughout any diplomatic process. This includes rejecting calls for Tehran to completely suspend its peaceful nuclear energy program or to expand the talks to include issues such as Iran’s defensive missile capabilities and regional influence.