In a post on social media, Pezeshkian said Tehran remained committed to lasting peace in the region but would firmly defend its sovereignty.
“Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Let’s be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity and sovereignty,” he wrote without naming any specific countries.
He added that mediation should focus on “those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.”
Most of West Asian region have been plunged into a warlike situation after US and Israel attacked Iran and killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on February 28. Over 1,332 have been killed so far in the war that US President Donald Trump said could last at least four to five weeks and “go far longer than that.”
Several countries across the world have called for de-escalation and urged dialogue and diplomacy.
President Pezeshkian’s comments on mediation come after both sides signalled they were far from the negotiating table.
A report by The New York Times revealed that Iran sought backchannel talks for ceasefire via Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with a proposal to discuss terms for ending the conflict just a day after attacks began.
US President Donald Trump too had claimed new leadership in Tehran were willing to negotiate but promptly refuted by Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani on social media. “We will not negotiate with the US,” Larijani wrote Monday (March 2) morning.
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