TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that the current situation offered the “best time” for Iran and the United States to reach an agreement, calling for outstanding disputes to be resolved through dialogue.
“When people talk about reaching an agreement, I believe now is the best time,” Pezeshkian said at his second news conference since taking office.
He said Iran sought nothing beyond the rights of the country and its people. According to the semi-official ISNA news agency, he said Tehran could pursue those rights through dialogue.
Iran reaffirms commitment to Islamabad MoU
Pezeshkian said his government remained committed to pursuing peace under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in June.
“The issues cannot be resolved through war alone,” he said. “We are trying to move toward peace based on the provisions of the memorandum.”
He said Tehran was prepared to use the Islamabad MoU as the basis for its approach, but only if Washington abandoned an atmosphere of distrust and confidence could be rebuilt.
Pezeshkian said the United States remained “untrustworthy” in Tehran’s view.
In remarks carried by the official IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian said dialogue had not changed Iran’s long-standing position towards Washington.
He argued that diplomacy had forced Washington to negotiate with Tehran.
“The very fact that we held talks and pursued diplomacy forced the US to come to the table and reach an agreement and understanding with Iran,” he said.
Iran rejects criticism of agreement
Pezeshkian rejected criticism of the memorandum and said it contained no provision requiring Iran to surrender any of its interests or positions.
“You will not find a single clause in the memorandum in which we gave anything away,” he said, adding that Tehran “stands firmly” behind the agreement.
He accused Washington of violating the memorandum by pursuing alternative shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz instead of following procedures that Iran and Oman were supposed to agree jointly.
Pezeshkian said any disputes over alleged violations should be addressed through mechanisms established under the memorandum.
He expressed hope that its implementation could continue “with dignity and honour” for Iran.
The Iranian president also defended Tehran’s negotiating team, describing its members as “dedicated, expert and hardworking”. He said criticism of the team was unfair.
