Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran does not want a wider war in the Middle East and instead seeks peace. He blamed Israel for stoking tensions and instigating conflict, calling for dialogue to resolve the volatile situation in the region. Pezeshkian also criticized the United States and other Western countries for double standards on human rights and called for a return to the 2015 nuclear accord, rather than negotiating a new deal. He denied accusations of Iran promoting campus protests against Israel and opposed Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Iran’s Vice President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, reiterated the government’s commitment to working with other countries to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza, stating they do not seek war but will defend themselves. Zarif emphasized Iran’s right to retaliate over the assassination of the head of Hamas in Tehran, which Iran blames Israel for orchestrating. He also criticized the U.S. for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, leading to the current tensions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed Tehran’s readiness to initiate new nuclear negotiations, despite continued enrichment of uranium and restrictions on U.N. inspections of nuclear sites. The U.S. is not expecting to engage with Iran soon due to concerns over Iran’s actions, including selling ballistic missiles to Russia. The international community is monitoring Iran’s nuclear capabilities, with Iran maintaining that its program is for civilian purposes. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the upcoming U.S. presidential election may complicate efforts to restart negotiations.
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