Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken aim at the United States for what he described as a contradictory and disrespectful approach to diplomacy, accusing Washington of undermining potential negotiations by coupling its outreach with hostile rhetoric.

Speaking on Saturday during a high-level meeting with government, military officials, lawmakers, and citizens, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's openness to international engagement, provided that dialogue is rooted in equality and mutual respect.

Referring to reported US interest in renewed talks, Pezeshkian stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran favors dialogue on equal terms." 

He rejected the current posture of the US administration as incoherent and counterproductive. "Today, the US behaves humiliatingly not only towards Iran, but the whole world. Such a manner is in contradiction to the request for negotiations," he added.

Criticizing the American tendency to issue threats while seeking diplomacy, Pezeshkian questioned, "If you wish to negotiate, what is the purpose of the threats?"

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Trust Politics

The Iranian president disclosed that Tehran had responded to a letter from former President Donald Trump by ruling out direct negotiations but has remained open to indirect channels. He added that the onus is on Washington to restore trust and show consistency in its approach.

"This will be the manner of Americans that would determine the continuity of the course of negotiations," he said on March 30.

Read more: Trump seeking 'direct talks' with Iran regarding nuclear deal

Beyond the foreign policy arena, Pezeshkian also addressed domestic challenges during his public appearances. He urged political factions to move past internal divisions and work in unity, stating, "If we put aside our differences and stand united, our adversaries will think twice before acting against us. Together, we can tackle the challenges facing our people."

He criticized the politicization of national issues, urging a focus on collective service under the leadership of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to effectively address Iran's pressing concerns.

In separate meetings with officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, Pezeshkian acknowledged the country's difficult economic conditions and encouraged a strategy centered on asset generation and structural optimization in the new Persian year. He also called on the Ministry of Education to engage academic experts in policymaking, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based solutions to national problems.