With Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian seen as heading into a second U.S.-Iran cease-fire talk, he asserted his country's right to use nuclear power.
According to Iran's ISNA news agency on the 19th (local time), President Pezeshkian said at an event that day, "President Trump says Iran must not exercise its nuclear rights, but he does not mention what crime it is because of." Pezeshkian said, "Who exactly is he to try to deprive a country of its lawful rights?" adding, "We must stand against a cruel enemy hungry for blood." He added, however, "We must manage the atmosphere to give the impression that we are not inciting war but defending ourselves."
Pezeshkian appeared to signal that while he will not be dragged by U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure to completely abandon enrichment of nuclear material, he will approach negotiations in a serious manner.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on the 17th on social media that the Strait of Hormuz would be temporarily opened. But the next day, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closed the strait again and said there would be no reopening until the U.S. blockade is lifted.
On the 11th, with Pakistan mediating, U.S. and Iranian delegations met directly in Islamabad to discuss ways to end the war, but the talks collapsed. Pakistan is preparing a second meeting, but a specific date has not yet been set. The biggest sticking points in the negotiations are Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions on Iran, and Israel's halt to attacks on Lebanon.