TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran cannot remain at war indefinitely and called for the revival of an agreement with the United States that he described as a potential pathway toward a negotiated settlement.
Speaking at an event in Tehran on Sunday, Pezeshkian said Iran would eventually have to move beyond a policy of “neither war nor peace” in order to protect the country’s interests.
“We cannot continue war forever,” Pezeshkian said, arguing that a return to negotiations could provide a more rational and dignified way to address the country’s disputes with Washington.
Calls for revival of Islamabad memorandum
Pezeshkian urged the parties involved in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to restore the agreement, saying it offered the best available route to resolving the crisis through direct negotiations.
The memorandum was signed on June 17 with mediation from Pakistan and was intended as an initial step toward a permanent peace agreement between Iran and the United States.
Under the arrangement, Iranian and US representatives were expected to prepare and sign a permanent agreement within 60 days.
Iran subsequently withdrew from the agreement before the 60-day period expired, accusing the United States of violating its terms.
Pezeshkian stresses public support
Pezeshkian also criticised hardline positions within Iran’s political establishment over the confrontation with the United States.
He said the government must remain connected to the Iranian people and demonstrate that it is working in their interests.
“If we cannot serve the people and convince them that we all belong to the same country and territory, defeat will be our destiny,” he said, arguing that even overwhelming military strength would not guarantee success without public support.
Call for compromise
Ayatollah Sayyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Iran’s first Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was present alongside Pezeshkian during the speech.
Supporting the president’s position, Khomeini said that “a wise compromise can sometimes be more effective than hundreds of wars,” reinforcing calls for a negotiated approach to Iran’s tensions with the United States.
COMMENTS