Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that attempts to negotiate an end to the Middle East war will remain futile if accompanied by threats, sanctions and pressure on Tehran.

Pezeshkian made the position clear on Friday while addressing a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit in Turkmenistan, stressing that successful diplomacy required mutual respect and commitment from all parties.

He also warned that sanctions against Iran could have wider consequences for regional trade, energy supplies and connectivity, according to Vanguard.

His latest comments follow a statement earlier in the week in which he questioned the value of negotiations with the United States, citing renewed attacks and alleged violations of previous commitments. The conflict began in late February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, amid ongoing discussions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Diplomatic efforts have struggled to produce a lasting settlement, with disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz adding to tensions. Iran has sought to control passage through the strategic shipping corridor, while Washington has imposed restrictions on Iranian ports and targeted vessels it accuses of breaching its blockade. The disruption to shipping through the waterway has also unsettled global energy markets.

The United States and Israel have maintained that their military campaign is intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an objective Tehran denies pursuing. Meanwhile, indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran have yet to produce a breakthrough, leaving the prospects for a negotiated end to the conflict uncertain.