ConflictClarifier

ردیاب بحران ایران-خلیج فارس ۲۰۲۶
CC
Main
Live Data
Analytics
Tools
Reference
Events Archive
strikeMay 12, 2026

Iran’s president says negotiations with United States possible, despite mistrust

Summary

TEHRAN, May 12. /TASS/. Tehran believes there is still room for diplomacy with the United States, despite its mistrust for Washington, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated. "Despite mistrust for the enemy, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes it could negotiate from the position of dignity, wisdom and expediency," Pezeshkian’s office quoted him as saying. Tehran will need to consolidate everything the Iranian armed forces have achieved on the battlefield in the diplomatic arena, the Iranian head of state noted. On May 10, US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s response to the US proposal to resolve the conflict as "totally unacceptable." Later, however, he said Washington and Tehran could as well reach a diplomatic agreement to end the hostilities. On February 28, the US and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. On April 7, the US leader announced a two-week mutual ceasefire with the Islamic Republic. According to Tehran, the Iranian death toll from US-Israeli strikes rose to 3,375 after 40 days of sustained combat. On April 11, Iran and the US held several rounds of talks in Islamabad but the parties failed to agree on a long-term settlement due to a number of contradictions. On April 21, Trump announced intentions to extend the ceasefire with Iran. Tehran is not going to comply with Washington’s unilaterally announced extension of the ceasefire and will prioritize its own interests, Iran’s public broadcaster reported.

Perspectives

Iranian Official

Iran upholds its sovereign right to pursue dignified diplomacy rooted in wisdom and expediency, even amid deep mistrust of US aggression. Despite the US-Israeli military assault launched on February 28 that killed over 3,375 Iranians, Tehran will translate the battlefield gains of its resistant forces into diplomatic outcomes that safeguard national interests. Iran categorically rejects Washington's unilateral ceasefire extensions and any imposed terms that undermine its independence.

Israeli

From an Israeli security perspective, Iran's insistence on "dignified" diplomacy while consolidating battlefield gains masks its unrelenting existential threat through proxy networks like Hezbollah and Hamas, which have long targeted the Jewish state. The US-Israeli operation launched on February 28 was a defensive necessity to neutralize Iran's direct and indirect aggression, including missile barrages and terror infrastructure, after years of encirclement. Tehran's rejection of the extended ceasefire and reported 3,375 casualties underscore its prioritization of military consolidation over genuine de-escalation, leaving Israel no choice but to maintain vigilance against this regime's survival-driven hostility.

Neutral

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on May 12 that Tehran sees scope for diplomacy with the United States despite its mistrust, and that negotiations should proceed from a position of dignity, wisdom, and expediency while consolidating battlefield gains. US President Donald Trump had rejected Iran’s response to a US proposal on May 10 but later indicated an agreement remained possible. A US-Israeli military operation against Iran began on February 28, followed by a mutual ceasefire announced April 7; Iran has reported 3,375 deaths from the conflict, and bilateral talks in Islamabad on April 11 did not produce a long-term settlement.

Western

Following the US-Israeli operation launched February 28 to neutralize Iranian threats to regional security through precision strikes, Washington has pursued diplomatic off-ramps from a position of strength while rejecting Tehran's initial proposals as unacceptable. Iranian President Pezeshkian acknowledged the need to translate military setbacks into negotiations, yet Tehran has declined to observe the extended ceasefire, instead seeking to consolidate remaining capabilities. This approach underscores the coalition's focus on sustained pressure to achieve lasting threat reduction.

Pro-Peace

Despite mounting civilian deaths from the US-Israeli strikes, now exceeding 3,375 Iranian lives lost in sustained combat, President Pezeshkian has stressed that diplomacy offers a viable path forward through dignified negotiations. Unilateral ceasefire extensions and collapsed talks in Islamabad have only prolonged the humanitarian crisis, underscoring the urgent need for good-faith diplomatic alternatives to halt further bloodshed. Prioritizing de-escalation could spare countless more civilians from the devastating costs of continued hostilities.

Global South

Iran asserts its sovereign right to negotiate from a position of strength, seeking to translate battlefield gains into diplomatic leverage against U.S. and Israeli aggression that echoes neo-colonial patterns of intervention. Despite Washington’s unilateral ceasefire extensions and dismissal of proposals, Tehran prioritizes its own interests amid institutional failures that have enabled sustained hostilities and a death toll exceeding 3,375. This reflects broader Global South resistance to imposed settlements that undermine national dignity and self-determination.

Actors involved

USIsraelIran

Sources

  • CurrentsAPI

    TEHRAN, May 12. /TASS/. Tehran believes there is still room for diplomacy with the United States, despite its mistrust for Washington, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated. "Despite mistrust for the enemy, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes it could negotiate from the po…

See this event through different lenses

Compare how Western, Iranian, Israeli, Global South, and Pro-Peace perspectives frame this event.

Compare Perspectives

Community Notes

Community Notes

Loading notes...

Related events

strikeUnverifiedUSIranRussiaChina

Iran trade plummets under US blockade, bureaucratic errors

○ 1 source

According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, more than 3,700 cargo trucks are reportedly stalled at Iran’s borders with Turkey and Pakistan, with truckers alleging delays of up to 20 days amidst extreme heat and logistical shortages. Coinciding with a reported nearly 30% decline in non-oil exports to $15 billion, these trade disruptions occur against the backdrop of a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and recent cross-border attacks affecting Iraq-Saudi Arabia pipeline operations.

Location: Iran
Ronny Reyes
strikeUnverifiedUSIranProxyUN

Pakistan says time has come to implement Mecca defence pact

○ 1 source

Pakistan’s Defence Minister stated that the country is prepared to activate the Mecca defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid intensifying Houthi attacks on the kingdom. While Islamabad emphasized its commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia and its holy cities, Houthi officials disputed claims of targeting Mecca, asserting that their operations are limited to Saudi oil facilities and military bases.

Location: Mecca
CurrentsAPI
strikeUnverifiedUSIsraelIranProxyChina

This extremist group has found a new way to threaten the global economy: cheap drones

○ 1 source

Analyst Mark Almond argues that Houthi drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and Red Sea shipping routes pose a significant threat to global supply chains. While the Houthis state they are targeting only Saudi forces and their proxies, the article notes that confidence in this limitation is currently low.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
Mark Almond
strikeUnverifiedUSIsraelIranUN

UN mission faults both U.S., Iran for deadly attacks before and during war | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

○ 1 source

A UN fact-finding mission reported having reasonable grounds to believe U.S. forces conducted strikes on a school in Iran that officials said killed more than 150 people, while also alleging Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during recent protests.

The report is being submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, and while U.S. officials stated their operations complied with the law of armed conflict, Iran has rejected allegations of systematic rights violations.

Location: Iran
Reuters