Tehran, May 18 -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday defended Tehran's decision to pursue negotiations with the United States, saying dialogue conducted "with dignity" is necessary while stressing that Iran will continue defending its national rights.

According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Pezeshkian made the remarks during a public relations gathering of executive agencies titled "Iranian Narrators".

"It is not logical to say that we will not negotiate," the Pezeshkian said.

"They chant that we shouldn't engage in dialogue--what should we do if we don't talk? Fight until the bitter end? It's not logical to say we won't engage in dialogue; we engage in dialogue with dignity," he said.

Pezeshkian added that I...