Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran is open to reaching an agreement with the United States in ongoing indirect talks, provided that the country's national interests are preserved.
During a meeting in Tehran, Pezeshkian expressed readiness for an agreement within a defined framework while ensuring Iran's national interests. However, he warned that if U.S. representatives refuse to negotiate on equal terms, Iran will continue on its own path.
The president noted that, as previously stated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran remains neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the negotiations. He reiterated that Tehran does not seek conflict but will resist any attempt at coercion, emphasizing that Iran will not tolerate pressure or bullying.
His comments followed the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held in Rome on Saturday with mediation from Oman. The first round took place in Muscat on April 12, and a third session is scheduled to be held in the Omani capital again this coming Saturday.
At a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the removal of U.S. sanctions remained Iran's principal demand in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump described the recent talks as "very good." Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump said, "We had very good meetings actually on Iran," adding, "The next step is we need a little time."
The discussions came in the wake of a letter sent by Trump to Iran's leadership in early March, proposing talks on Tehran's nuclear program. Trump later warned of military action should Iran reject his offer for talks.
Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in 2015. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
The United States, led by Trump during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have not achieved substantial progress.
Iran ready for deal with US if national interests respected: president
Iran ready for deal with US if national interests respected: president
Iran ready for deal with US if national interests respected: president
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
