Pezeshkian conditions talks revival on US shift from ‘maximalist’ stance
US advised to drop ‘inflammatory’ rhetoric, ‘provocative’ actions
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Iran is ready to resume diplomacy if the United States drops its “maximalist” demands and stops its “maritime piracy” against Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf.
Pezeshkian said the US and Israeli regime committed war crimes against the Iranian nation during the recent war of aggression, by assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution and senior political and military officials, and attacking vital public infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and safeguarded nuclear facilities.
These actions were clear examples of war crimes and violations of international law, he added. The president also noted that the provocative measures by Washington in imposing an illegal blockade on Iranian ports were unacceptable and in breach of international regulations. “These actions will further escalate the situation in the region,” he said. Reiterating that the Iranian Armed Forces are determined to defend the legitimate rights of the country, Pezeshkian said Tehran was nonetheless ready to resume the diplomatic process aimed at finding a “fair resolution” to the war and restoring peace and security to the region.
He stressed that achieving that goal was contingent upon the US abandoning its “maximalist approach” and stopping its “provocative actions.”
In turn, the Japanese premier called for efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region through diplomacy.
She also asked for the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for ships of all nations after a recent passage of a Japanese ship through the strait. Takaichi said Japan views bilateral relations with Iran as important and expressed hope that negotiations between Tehran and Washington would resume soon and lead to an agreement.
Also on Thursday, the Iranian president held a phone conversation with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.
Pezeshkian said Iran’s trust in the US has been "completely destroyed" after two US and Israeli military strikes on Iran during negotiations, and called on Washington to halt "provocative" rhetoric and actions.
"Efforts to resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy with Iran's responsibility have always been on the agenda," Pezeshkian said. "But during the negotiations, the United States and the Zionist regime attacked Iran twice, and there is a possibility of such actions being repeated – which has led to Iran's complete distrust of the United States."
Pezeshkian said Iran needs to see a halt to "inflammatory rhetoric" by US officials and "provocative actions" as a prerequisite for building Iranian confidence. He urged Washington to demonstrate seriousness in pursuing negotiations aimed at a definitive end to the war and not repeating past experiences.