AMNA NAWAZ: Let's get a view now from Iran# with special correspondent Reza Sayah,## who is in Tehran and joins us on the phone.

Reza, it's good to speak with you again.

President Trump today repeated those threats# about bombing power plants and bridges in Iran## tomorrow night if Iran does not strike a deal.# I know you were at the Foreign Ministry today.## What's been the reaction there# to President Trump's comments?

REZA SAYAH: We did go to the Foreign Ministry## today when the spokesperson had# his weekly press conference.

Obviously, the Foreign Ministry, the# leadership here is aware of these## threats.

They hear them.

The Foreign# Ministry is careful not to get into a## war of words with Mr.

Trump.

They# make it a point to be diplomatic.## They did say that a diplomatic solution# could not happen with threats and ultimatums.

Over the past couple of days, we have# seen a push by Pakistan to mediate talks.## There's been a proposal for a 45-day cease-fire# to get these sides to come to an agreement.## Tehran's position is no cease-fire, and it's# because of their mistrust of Washington.

They see a cease-fire as a ploy by Washington# and Israel to go back home, reload,## and attack again.

They don't want that.# So Iran has put forth its own proposal,## its own demands that addresses its# security concerns and its rights.

But my impression is that Tehran won't# accept verbal guarantees anymore.## And that's why they're holding onto the Strait of# Hormuz.

This is key for them.

They see the strait## as a lever.

If the U.S.

keeps attacking,# the lever stays down and creates pain for## Washington and the global economy.

And that's# why the Strait of Hormuz now is the key impact.

AMNA NAWAZ: Reza, we also heard President# Trump talk about the people of Iran,## say that they are -- quote -- "willing to suffer"## in order to have freedom, that they're# asking for the bombing to continue.

Based on your reporting, is that an accurate# description of what Iranians believe right now?

REZA SAYAH: I don't think so.

I don't# think most Iranians that I have talk to,## that I see are willing to suffer.

They don't# want to be bombed.

They don't want their## universities and bridges# and infrastructure bombed.

My sense is that Mr.

Trump is referring# to the many Iranians who came out and## protested in January and faced the deadly# crackdown.

These are Iranians who don't## like their government.

They want reform,# change.

Some even wanted regime change.

But I can tell you this is# not what they had in mind.## And I think that many of those Iranians# see the narrative that a limited military## intervention would usher in freedom and# democracy and a new government.

As stated,## they're in a war now, being bombed every day.# And now they're waiting for Mr.

Trump's deadline## tomorrow to see exactly what he means what# he says Iran is going to be a living hell.

AMNA NAWAZ: That is special correspondent# Reza Sayah joining us from Tehran tonight.

Reza, thank you.

Good to speak with you.

REZA SAYAH: Thank you.