Fada Hossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said if US President Donald Trump genuinely believes in negotiations, the first step must be the complete removal of "cruel" sanctions.

In an interview with DefaPress on March 11, Maleki stressed that future negotiations must safeguard Iran’s national interests. He accused the US of attempting to advance its own agenda through coercion and bullying.

“According to the guidance of the Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei], we will only engage in negotiations when our national interests are assured,” Maleki added.

During his previous presidency, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, reinstating stringent sanctions that compelled Tehran to reduce its commitments under the agreement. Shortly after taking office in February 2025, Trump reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy against Iran through a memorandum.

Trump has repeatedly called on Iran to enter talks on both nuclear and non-nuclear issues, threatening military action if Iran refuses. Last week, he claimed to have sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, urging negotiations. However, Iran denied receiving any such letter.

Ayatollah Khamenei swiftly rejected the prospect of talks, describing the Trump administration as a “bullying government” that seeks to impose its demands rather than resolve issues.

He also warned that any negotiations would not be limited to nuclear matters but would extend to Iran’s military and international capabilities—a prospect Tehran firmly opposes.

Maleki pointed to the 2015 nuclear deal as evidence of Iran’s commitment to diplomatic agreements, noting that Tehran adhered to all its obligations while European countries and the United States failed to uphold theirs.

He accused Trump of pursuing new objectives aimed at hindering Iran’s development and progress while simultaneously seeking to undermine the country’s defence capabilities. Maleki stressed that Iran’s missile programmes and drone technologies are non-negotiable red lines, as they are integral to the nation’s security and sovereignty.

“No country is willing to negotiate its defence capabilities,” Maleki stated. “Technologies such as missiles and drones are vital to our national interests. Weakening Iran’s defence capabilities would only increase threats and diminish our security.”

He reiterated the Supreme Leader’s warnings against compromising on these critical areas, affirming that Iran will not yield to external pressure.