Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has backed a fresh push for talks with the United States, saying Tehran should use its national unity and strength to secure a deal without giving up its rights.
Speaking to journalists in Tehran on Saturday for National Journalists’ Day, Pezeshkian called the current moment the strongest opportunity for an agreement, as Iran seeks to break the deadlock with Washington.
“I believe the present moment is the most opportune time for an agreement [between Iran and the US]. With this cohesion, power, and unity, and as far as I know, and perhaps you know even more, we can compel the entire world to perceive Iran as the true victor of this war and conflict. Armed with this authority, we can secure our legitimate rights through these dialogues,” he said.
The president also defended the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, while accusing Washington of failing to build the trust needed for further talks.
“We remain determined, God willing, to proceed with that same [Islamabad] Memorandum of Understanding, provided that the US stops fostering an atmosphere of mistrust and instead cultivates a climate of genuine confidence, because America is indeed profoundly unreliable. Nevertheless, if we can make any meaningful headway toward resolving the outstanding issues, we are sparing no effort to do so,” Pezeshkian concluded.
The Pakistan-brokered Islamabad MoU was electronically signed by Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump on June 17. The interim framework covered an end to hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day window for negotiations towards a wider settlement.
But no final agreement has followed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on August 9 that Tehran was not negotiating directly with Washington, with messages instead passing through intermediaries. Iran and Oman are also working on arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the main points of dispute.
Washington is also pressing Tehran for a deal. Trump earlier described fresh negotiations as Iran’s ‘last chance’ to avoid an escalation of US strikes, saying talks should start with the Strait of Hormuz before moving to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Source: Viory
