WANA (May 17) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, accusing him of making contradictory and unbelievable statements about peace and military power in the region.

 

“Trump’s remarks are only believable to himself,” Pezeshkian said during a morning address. “On one hand, he speaks of peace in the region, and on the other, he talks about developing horrific and destructive weapons. Which message should we believe—peace or mass murder?”

 

The president also condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, accusing it of committing genocide while maintaining a false humanitarian narrative.

 

“They have killed around 60,000 people, cut off food and water from civilians in Gaza, and yet speak of humanity. Is genocide their way of promoting humanitarian values?” he asked.

 

Pezeshkian went on to criticize what he described as the West’s double standards. “It seems we must speak and act according to their script to be considered free. If we remain silent on the crimes of the Zionist regime, we are free. But any person with a sense of dignity and freedom will never bow to such logic,” he said.

 

On the topic of nuclear negotiations, the Iranian president reiterated that Tehran is open to talks but will not back down under pressure. “We are negotiating, but we fear no threats. They think intimidation will make us abandon our rights—but we will not yield,” he asserted. “We will not compromise on our scientific, military, or nuclear achievements.”

 

Pezeshkian also denounced the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists, calling it an act of terrorism. “They kill our scientists and then accuse Iran of being a terrorist state. In reality, we are victims of terrorism,” he said. “The reason they accuse us of terrorism in the region is simple: because Iran refuses to be dependent and insists on standing on its own feet.”