Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has defended Tehran’s decision to engage in negotiations with the United States and European countries, saying Iran is ready for dialogue to protect its national interests but will not accept demands that undermine its sovereignty or defensive capabilities, state news agency IRNA reported.
In the final part of an address to the Iranian public, Pezeshkian said Iran had not started the war and that the decision to negotiate was taken to safeguard national interests and avoid unnecessary conflict.
He rejected claims that his government had pressured Iran’s leadership into negotiations, saying major decisions were taken in coordination with the leadership and the country’s security and military institutions.
Pezeshkian said Iran had reached understandings with European representatives during earlier diplomatic efforts, but accused European countries of subsequently failing to act independently and pursuing the “snapback” mechanism despite those understandings.
He said diplomacy and military strength were not contradictory, arguing that negotiations could help protect Iran’s rights and interests. However, Tehran would not agree to dismantling its military or defence capabilities, he said.
The Iranian president also stressed that Tehran had no intention of attacking other countries, occupying territory or expanding its borders, saying Iran sought peaceful coexistence with its neighbours.
He accused Israel and the US of trying to unite Persian Gulf countries against Iran and said Tehran was working to prevent divisions among regional states.
Pezeshkian said relations with neighbouring countries had improved significantly and urged Muslim countries to avoid becoming involved in conflicts with one another. He also warned that internal political divisions in Iran could be exploited by foreign powers.
Rejecting reports of differences between his government, the diplomatic establishment and the armed forces over negotiations, Pezeshkian said all major decisions had been taken through the country’s national security structures and were supported by the military and security institutions. He also denied any disagreement with Iran’s Leader, saying his government had consistently followed the leadership’s policies.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for greater unity among Iran’s neighbours. In a post on X, he said the time had come for countries in the region to “rely on ourselves and embrace true brotherhood”, adding that Iran’s armed forces had demonstrated their capability against what he described as the world’s most powerful military.
