Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian stated on Monday that his country “will endure and find a way to survive” if negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program end without an agreement.

Media reports quoted Bezhakian saying, “We will not starve if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions; we will find a way to stay alive.”

These remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about significant progress in talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program.