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Pezeshkian: Iran 'more powerful than ever'; has hundreds of alternatives if sanctioned

Iran Press TV

Monday, 26 May 2025 11:11 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran is "more powerful than ever" thanks to its scientists and elites, adding that if the Islamic Republic is sanctioned instead of engaged in diplomacy, it has "hundreds" of effective alternatives ready.

"The enemies wrongfully think that the country has been weakened," the chief executive said in the capital, Tehran, on Monday, emphasizing the strength of the nation's intellectual capital.

Pezeshkian, who was addressing the anniversary of the establishment of the country's Islamic Azad University, meanwhile, called for national synergy and resolution of standing divisions across various ranks inside the country towards improving the nation's status even further.

"We just need to focus on synergy instead of conflict, and work hand in hand to overcome our problems."

Addressing the current status of the Islamic Republic's indirect talks with the United States, the senior official discussed the prospect of the country being targeted with more illegal sanctions instead of being engaged in a proper negotiation process.

"If they sanction us instead of negotiating [with us], we have hundreds of [alternative] ways [before us to choose from]," he asserted.

Observers note how the comments hark back to the country's managing to successfully skirt numerous coercive economic measures by the US and its allies for years.

They cite some of the means that have been used by the Islamic Republic towards circumventing the bans as its diversifying its economic ties and expanding the current ones, and reinforcing domestic production.

Pezeshkian's remarks come amid Washington's insistence on "zero" uranium enrichment by the Islamic Republic, and even total annihilation of the country's nuclear energy sites.

Iran has utterly ruled out either prospect, while insisting that any effective diplomatic procedure has to seriously address the issue of the American bans.

US President Donald Trump has even threatened to escalate the US's controversial "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which has featured imposition of the sanctions, to "massive maximum pressure."

Pezeshkian underscored, though, that "it's not as if their refusal to negotiate with us and [insistence rather on] sanctioning us, will make us die from hunger."

"We will find a way," he explained, reminding Iran's monumental resources, particularly concerning energy and minerals.

"There are hundreds of ways to overcome our problems; all we need to do is come together, unite, and allow the elites to work in the field."

Adding to his remarks, the chief executive dismissed the notion of undue reliance on overseas actors.

"If we rely on others, we will fail," he said.