Iranian president expresses desire for peace, not war with Israel

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran does not want a wider war in the Middle East and seeks peace through dialogue. He blamed Israel for stoking tensions and instigating conflict, citing assassinations that he said Israel was behind. Pezeshkian called for a return to the 2015 nuclear accord and rejected U.S. accusations of promoting protests against Israel. Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif echoed these sentiments, stating that Iran is ready to work towards peace and will defend itself if necessary. Zarif also criticized the U.S. for withdrawing from the nuclear deal and expressed Iran’s desire to initiate new negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi similarly highlighted the importance of starting new talks. However, the U.S. is not expecting to engage with Iran in the near future and has raised concerns about Iran’s continued enrichment of uranium. Iran’s nuclear capabilities remain unclear, with the country insisting that its program is for civilian purposes. The situation in the Middle East, including Israel’s offensive in Gaza, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election, could make negotiations challenging. Despite these obstacles, Iran remains open to dialogue and peace initiatives in the region.

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