TEHERAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that the country does not rule out the possibility of holding negotiations over its nuclear program, but will not "bow to bullies."

He made the remarks while addressing a meeting with directors of state bodies in Teheran province in reference to US sanctions and the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran.

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"We should not be afraid of sanctions and pressures," said Pezeshkian. "Some people say we do not have any other alternative but to sit and negotiate (with the United States). We did not say that we are not supposed to negotiate, but we are not supposed to bow to bullies."

"They cannot impose and intensify all kinds of sanctions against us and say 'come and sit together to hold talks and negotiate.' We have a proverb that says 'first prove your brotherhood, then claim (inheritances).'"

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US President Donald Trump took an executive action earlier this month to restore the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, aimed at preventing Iran from, what he claimed, obtaining nuclear weapons.

Washington has since imposed two rounds of sanctions on dozens of people, firms and brokers on charges of having facilitated the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil.