Military action or talks likely to only delay Iran nuclear program – Former US official

“It is possible to place the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear activities under full verification, as has been done in previous years,” Pezeshkian told the Saudi leader in their phone call.

He also said that Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought war or conflict, and non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has absolutely no place in our security and defense doctrine,” media in Tehran quoted him as saying.

“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.

In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.”

It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.

The US administration has continued to escalate sanctions on Iran, aiming to fully halt the country’s oil exports—especially to China. Trump has also threatened that if Tehran does not make concessions, it can become the target of military strikes.

US President Donald Trump says he thinks Tehran wants to negotiate directly with Washington.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.” he told reporters on Thursday.

It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.

In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives calling for the dismantling of Iran-backed groups in Iraq and sweeping sanctions on their affiliates.

The 'Free Iraq from Iran Act' specifically targets the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other militias, urging their complete removal from Iraq’s government and security forces. It conditions all US security assistance to Baghdad on dismantling these groups and severing their control over ministries​.

It also calls for the formal designation of 11 militias—including the Badr Corps, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada—as foreign terrorist organizations.

The bill also names former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, key Iraqi officials, and entities such as Al-Rafidain Bank for potential sanctions​.

Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Thursday.

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“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.

The statement added that Pezeshkian said the non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has no place in Iran's security and defense doctrine.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.

"Everything we can do to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and ultimately to support regime change in Iran would be an improvement in US national security", Texas Senator Ted Cruz said.

"I think we have many points of leverage short of military action and economic and diplomatic pressure can have a profoundly powerful effect," he added. "The Ayatollah's intentions are unquestionably hostile. He is a theocratic genocidal lunatic."

Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it does not reach a new nuclear accord. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed retaliation in the event of an attack.

Previously, the populist US President who campaigned in part on avoiding foreign wars has said he wishes the Iranian people well and suggested he does not seek the overthrow of its theocratic rulers.

Trump in February reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions on Iran from his first term with the aim of bringing Iranian oil sales down to zero.

Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons but the United Nations nuclear watchdog said it now possesses the largest stockpile of enriched uranium of any non-nuclear armed state.

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama expressed support for increased pressure on Iran, emphasizing sanctions targeting key sectors like oil and gas.

“If you're going to put sanctions on somebody – what President Trump does—for Iran and for the regime that's even killing its own people—is, you do blockade," Tuberville told Iran International.

"You take away their source of being able to make a living, and that’s through their oil and gas."