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Pezeshkian: It is up to US to choose if it wants to end war
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said it was up to the United States to choose when the Iran war will end, blaming Washington for the nearly seven-month war in the Middle East and accusing it of blocking diplomacy.
He made the remarks in an interview aired on Thursday on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.
"We do not seek to kill Americans, as shown by actions, demonstrable actions. America has sought to kill Iranians," Pezeshkian said. "What we know is that if we’re attacked, we must defend ourselves."
“We never started a war, but if they wish to keep fighting with us, we will respond strongly and resolutely,” Pezeshkian added.
Addressing US military strikes and increasing secondary sanctions, Pezeshkian said Iran would continue resisting Washington’s campaign.
"This is something that has been the doing of the United States," he said. "We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue. We will remain.
The Iranian president said that he believes that humans should not cause the death of another human. But with the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us.
"But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not," president Pezeshkian said.
He was referring to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, which began on February 28 and has continued till now.
Pezeshkian also pointed to the failed Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding signed by him and US President Donald Trump in June intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader US-Iran agreement.
"We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president," Pezeshkian said of Trump, who signed the agreement.
"That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward.
Pezeshkian then criticized Washington for the subsequent breakdown in diplomacy but insisted Tehran remains prepared to reach an agreement.
"The problem is that America, instead of conducting dialogue, they descend into the arena by bombing us first, by blocking every pathway. We are ready," he said.
"This is not the way to conduct yourself on the world stage."
The Iranian president who has traveled to New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, also held separate meetings with several foreign officials on the sidelines of the UN gathering.
During his meeting with Netherlands’ Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the president outlined the latest developments and consequences of the attacks by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran and reaffirmed Iran’s position on dialogue and diplomacy.
“We have always been, and remain, open to dialogue. However, if there is any advice to be given, it should be conveyed to the American side, because on various occasions, after negotiations have taken place, the process of dialogue has been disrupted by the United States, and ultimately we have witnessed the outbreak of war. The Islamic Republic of Iran has also defended itself against these actions.”
Pezeshkian also held a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Suring the meeting, Sharif voiced concern over the continuation of conflicts and rising tensions in the region, stressing the need to reduce tensions and strengthen diplomatic channels to achieve lasting peace and stability.
He also highlighted the importance of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, expressing Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a “constructive and sincere role” in supporting regional peace and stability.