Day 83 of US-Israel War on Iran: 'Doors to Diplomacy Still Open,' Tehran Says No to Surrender

As ceasefire talks stall, President Trump taunts Iran's military losses while Iran's President asserts his country will not be forced into submission.

The Wire Staff

As ceasefire talks stall, President Trump taunts Iran's military losses while Iran's President asserts his country will not be forced into submission.

day 83 of us israel war on iran doors to diplomacy still open tehran says no to surrender

President Donald Trump arrives for the commencement address at the US Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Photo: AP/ Jacquelyn Martin.

New Delhi: As the US-Israel war on Iran enters its 12th week, ceasefire negotiations remain stalled and diplomatic efforts are yet to make a breakthrough.

United States President Donald Trump, speaking at a commencement address at the US Coast Guard Academy, claimed that Iran's air force and navy has been wiped out. “The ⁠only question is, do we go and finish it up, or are they going to ⁠be signing a ⁠document. Let’s see what happens," he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pushed back against the notion of breaking Iran through coercion. In a post on X, he wrote, "all paths remain open from our side. Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer, and more sustainable than war.”

Iran has consistently honored its commitments and explored every avenue to avert war; all paths remain open from our side. Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer, and more sustainable than war.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) May 20, 2026

Pezeshkian also received Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsen Naqvi in Tehran as Islamabad continues its mediator role, despite deploying 8000 troops, fighter aircraft and air defence system to Saudi Arabia – a US ally – on Monday, May 18.

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This article went live on May twenty-first, two thousand twenty six, at twenty-one minutes past eleven in the morning.

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