Tehran: Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian has warned that his country faces the risk of further conflict with the United States unless diplomacy is pursued. Speaking at a meeting with media executives, Pezeshkian criticized opponents of talks with Washington over Tehran’s nuclear program, stating that the United States would simply strike Iran’s nuclear facilities again if they were rebuilt.

According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, the United States joined Israel’s aerial campaign against Iran, bombing the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities with B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles. These strikes, as US President Donald Trump claimed, “completely destroyed” the facilities. An editorial by Tasnim suggested that Pezeshkian’s remarks could project an image of weakness, which might influence the United States’ perception of Iran.

Hossein Shariatmadari, chief editor of Kayhan and an appointee of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticized Pezeshkian for his insistence on talks with Washington. He alleged that both the United States and Israel had “openly admitted their defeat” during the 12-day war in June and claimed without evidence that Washington had come “pleading” for talks with Iran. Shariatmadari expressed skepticism about the notion of negotiations versus war.

Last month, Iran engaged in talks with European powers over its nuclear program, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi indicating that discussions would continue, although no new dates have been announced. European governments have warned that unless significant progress is made in talks between Tehran and Washington by the end of August, they will begin the process of re-imposing UN sanctions against Iran. Iran has stated that such a move would “end” Europe’s role in the nuclear dossier.

Iran and the United States were scheduled to hold a new round of talks, but the meeting was canceled due to the war. The two sides have yet to agree to meet, with Tehran expressing distrust toward Washington and the White House questioning the merit of further talks given the damage caused to Iran’s nuclear sites.