Key Points:
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian refuses to negotiate with the US under threat, telling Trump to “do whatever you want.”
- Iran conducts joint naval exercises with Russia and China in the Gulf of Oman.
- The “Maritime Security Belt 2025” drills aim to enhance naval cooperation and demonstrate military strength.
- US reinstates “maximum pressure” policy to isolate Iran economically.
New Delhi: Iran has delivered a strong rebuke to the United States, with President Masoud Pezeshkian firmly stating that his country will not engage in nuclear negotiations under duress. In a direct message to President Donald Trump, Pezeshkian declared, “Do whatever you want,” emphasizing Iran’s refusal to yield to American pressure. This stance follows Trump’s claim of sending a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which Tehran denies receiving.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier asserted that Iran would not be coerced into negotiations, a position reinforced by Pezeshkian’s remarks. The Trump administration has revived its “maximum pressure” campaign, aiming to isolate Iran from the global economy and eliminate its oil exports. This policy was first implemented during Trump’s initial term as president, following his withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers.
In a show of military strength and strategic alignment, Iran has conducted joint naval exercises with Russia and China, dubbed the “Maritime Security Belt 2025.” These drills, held in the Gulf of Oman near the critical Strait of Hormuz, mark the fifth consecutive year of such cooperation. The exercises focus on enhancing collaboration among participating navies through operations like striking maritime targets, damage control, and coordinated search and rescue missions.
The Gulf of Oman is a vital passage for global oil trade, with approximately 20% of the world’s crude oil passing through the nearby Strait of Hormuz[7]. This region has historically been a focal point for tensions, particularly since Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear pact and the subsequent re-imposition of sanctions on Iran.
Iran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons, despite accelerating its nuclear program since 2019. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concerns over Iran’s uranium enrichment reaching up to 60% purity, nearing the threshold for weapons-grade material.
The joint naval exercises with Russia and China underscore Iran’s efforts to bolster its military capabilities and demonstrate its ability to resist external pressure. As tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate, these exercises serve as a strategic statement of unity among the participating nations.
