In a telephone conversation on Monday, Pezeshkian and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the latest regional developments, the negotiations in Islamabad, and the prospects for a ceasefire agreement.
Referring to the Islamabad negotiations on April 11, Pezeshkian said the Iranian delegation acted with seriousness and goodwill in pursuit of a durable agreement.
However, he argued that despite achieving several technical understandings, excessive demands and a lack of political will from senior US officials prevented the talks from reaching a final conclusion.
The president emphasized the necessity of adhering to international principles and rules, noting, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to continue dialogues solely within the framework of international laws and regulations, to safeguard the rights of the Iranian people. Europe can play a constructive role by encouraging the United States to respect these frameworks.”
Pezeshkian said that Iran’s principled policy is based on strengthening peace, stability, and regional security, as well as developing constructive engagement with neighbors, warning, “Approaches based on threats, pressure, and military action are not only unhelpful but also add to the complexity of issues and will exacerbate the self-inflicted problems of the American side.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers diplomacy the preferred path for resolving disputes and, while preserving its national dignity and authority, declares its readiness for dialogue within legal frameworks,” he added.
Referring to the recent threat by the US President regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian emphasized, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought to ensure sustainable security for the passage of ships through this strategic waterway. Any threat against the security of this region will have far-reaching consequences for global trade. At the same time, Iran is fully prepared to deal with any scenario within the framework of its national interests”.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Pezeshkian referred to the ceasefire and the other party’s breach of the initial agreement, noting, “The conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this regard have been clearly stated. Contrary to some claims, it has been Iran that has insisted on the precise implementation of commitments—a point that Pakistani officials have also acknowledged.”
On the nuclear issue, the president reiterated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has previously reached specific agreements with European countries, and the frameworks are completely clear. Iran has never sought to act outside international regulations and remains ready to continue negotiations within that same framework.”
For his part, Macron emphasized the need to include Lebanon in the initial ceasefire framework and outlined France’s views on Iran’s nuclear issue as well as legal concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
IRNA