‘For Us, Martyrdom is Far Sweeter’: Pezeshkian Says Iran Will Not Be ‘Bullied’ Into Nuclear Deal With U.S.

Latest Developments

• ‘Slogans’ Will Not Scare Iran, Iranian President Warns: Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran will not be forced into a nuclear deal by President Donald Trump. “[Trump] thinks he can come here, chant slogans, and scare us,” Pezeshkian said during a May 14 television appearance. “For us, martyrdom is far sweeter than dying in bed. You came to frighten us? We will not bow to any bully.” The comments came after Trump called Iran “the most destructive force” in the Middle East, adding that Tehran must choose between “chaos and terror” or peace.
• Iran Mulling Deal That Would Allow Lower Levels of Enrichment: White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly presented Iranian negotiators with a written proposal for a deal during the latest round of talks in Oman on May 11. While Iranian officials denied receiving the proposal, Ali Shamkhani, a top Iranian advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that Iran was willing to commit to a deal that eliminates its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium but allows it to continue enriching to the lower levels required for civilian nuclear energy.
• U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Missile Production: The United States continued its “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran on May 14, sanctioning six individuals and 12 entities that assist Iran with its domestic production of ballistic missile components. The U.S. Treasury Department alleged that the entities, which are based in Iran and China, oversaw efforts by organizations affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to develop carbon fiber materials needed in the manufacture of ballistic missiles. A separate assessment released by the Defense Intelligence Agency indicated that by 2035, Iran could develop its space launch vehicles into intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of targeting the United States, should it choose to do so.

FDD Expert Response

“If there is only a temporary freeze to Iranian enrichment, Tehran’s nuclear weapons capabilities would remain intact, including the regime’s ability to make fuel for nuclear weapons. Trump must stick to his original demand — the full dismantlement of Iran’s enrichment, weaponization, and missile delivery programs — which Tehran can accomplish either peacefully or forcibly, via U.S. and possibly Israeli air strikes.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“Long dependent on Chinese support, Iran now aspires to achieve self-sufficiency in its ballistic missile program. The challenge this poses extends well beyond Iran’s borders, as the Islamic Republic continues to export missile technology to its regional proxies, including the Houthis in Yemen. Iran is developing its missiles to be capable of reaching the United States — activities fundamentally linked to the regime’s nuclear ambitions since missiles will be the delivery system for any future nuclear warhead.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Congressional Republicans Back Full Dismantlement of Iranian Nuclear Program in Letters to Trump,” FDD Flash Brief

“Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Military-Affiliated Network Smuggling Oil to China,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘Difficult But Useful’: United States and Iran Hold Fourth Round of Nuclear Talks in Oman,” FDD Flash Brief

“Any Iranian Enrichment Gives Tehran a Path to Nuclear Weapons,” by Andrea Stricker