Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that the nation will not yield to external pressure as U.S. President Donald Trump considers limited military strikes to influence the ongoing nuclear talks with the Islamic republic.
Pezeshkian said that despite the problems and harm caused by the enemy, the Iranian people will never yield to the enemy's bullying and coercion, noting that facing difficulties, Iran is determined to overcome challenges and defend national dignity.
Iran's stance comes as Trump confirmed on Friday that he is weighing "preliminary limited military strikes" to force Iran to accept U.S. demands regarding a nuclear agreement.
Also on Saturday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry officially labeled the naval and air forces of all European Union states as "terrorist organizations". The move is a response to the EU's recent decision to list Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a "terrorist organization".
Iranian political analysts say the continued pressure and military buildup of the United States in the Middle East during the nuclear negotiations suggest that the U.S. negotiation strategy may be aimed at securing domestic support in the U.S. rather than truly resolving disputes.
Iranian political analyst Foad Izadi noted that history shows the U.S. is rarely sincere in seeking a negotiated resolution. A successful negotiation would require the United States to make concessions, which would give Iran breathing room to recuperate. He argues that the U.S. goal is to overthrow the Iranian regime, so there is no reason to create such space for Iran’s development. Izadi said he believes the U.S. participates in talks only to shore up domestic support. Although the U.S. Congress is divided on Iran, Trump can claim "the U.S. tried negotiations but failed" to build the political backing needed for military action.
Similarly, another Iranian analyst said that the current U.S. strategy typically involves creating an initial sense of optimism before gradually escalating demands and setting strict deadlines. The analyst described this pattern as a signature tactic designed to force Iran into a corner where it must either accept unfavorable terms or face the threat of conflict. This pattern has effectively become a standard tactic used by the United States, especially the Trump administration, in handling international and regional issues.
Recent statements and actions of Iran indicate that while Iran has not abandoned diplomacy as a means of resolving differences, it is also maintaining military preparedness. Analysts warn that as the Iran-U.S. military standoff persists, alongside the involvement of Israel, the risk of conflict and war in the Middle East remains elevated.
Iran stands firm against U.S. military pressure amid nuclear talks: president
Russia said on Saturday that its forces had seized control of a settlement and struck Ukrainian transportation and energy infrastructure facilities, while Ukraine reported, on the same day, that its forces had launched attacks on a Russian military-industrial factory over the past 24 hours.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily report that over the past day that Russian forces had taken control of one settlement in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.
Russian troops struck Ukrainian military transportation and energy infrastructure facilities, and destroyed one transport-loading vehicle of the U.S.-made multiple launch rocket system HIMARS and multiple launchers of Flamingo long-range cruise missiles, according to the report.
Russian air defense systems intercepted one guided bomb, seven HIMARS rockets, five Flamingo missiles, and 172 fixed-wing drones, the ministry said.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that during the past night, Ukraine's Missile Forces and Artillery units launched multiple Flamingo cruise missile attacks on a military-industrial factory in Russia's Udmurt Republic.
Ukrainian forces struck a natural gas processing plant in Russia's Samara region, and Russian military targets including fuel depots in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, the Ukrainian side said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed decrees to sanction Russia's "shadow fleet," and entities and individuals serving Russia's military industry, the Ukrainian president's official website reported Saturday.
The decrees were signed to enact decisions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, said the report.
One of the decisions aims to counter Russia's "shadow fleet," involving 225 ship captains related to exporting Russian petroleum products.
Those sanctioned include citizens of Russia, India and the Philippines. Most of the vessels involved have already been placed under sanctions by the European Union, the United States, Britain, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Another package of sanctions was imposed on 46 Russian citizens, two Iranian citizens, and 44 Russian companies servicing Russia's military-industrial complex, according to the report.
Zelensky said Saturday that the Ukrainian side will do everything necessary so that the next round of negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia can deliver results for Ukraine and peace.
Ukraine will by no means stand in the way of peace, he said in a video address.
Zelensky announced that his meetings with European partners are scheduled for next week.
The delegations from Ukraine, the United States and Russia held the latest round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb 17-18, with no breakthrough on key issues.
Russia reports strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, Ukraine claims hitting Russian munitions factory
