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Iran President Pezeshkian called for an end to the US war, saying Tehran is negotiating from strength, as Iran’s military vowed to respond to new threats.
Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, who is known to be a moderate in the Iranian establishment, has called for an early end to war now that they’re in ‘position of power’, he believes. (Image source: AFP)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an end to the months-long war with the United States, saying Tehran should move towards ending the conflict while it remains in a “position of power and dignity”.
“It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity,” Pezeshkian said, as reported by Al Jazeera, at a meeting with doctors on Friday.
“The whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasises that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world,” he added.
Pezeshkian also defended the June memorandum of understanding reached with Washington, which has faced criticism from hardliners in the Iranian parliament. Pezeshkian is believed to be among the “reformist” in Iranian establishment, according to a report by BBC.
His critics have accused the government of making concessions to the US. Pezeshkian rejected the charge, saying the agreement did not require Tehran to capitulate.
“They cannot find even a single clause in this agreement that indicates capitulation. All the commitments concern the other side,” he said.
The remarks came as Iranian and Omani officials discussed efforts to revive dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Oman’s state news agency said, as per the Al Jazeera report, the foreign ministers of the two countries spoke by phone on Friday about ways to create conditions for resuming talks. They also discussed developments concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Remains Ready To Respond To Threats
Despite Pezeshkian’s call for an end to the conflict, Iran’s military leadership said the country remained ready to respond to any new threats.
“With preparedness across land, sea, air, air defence and cyberspace, Iran’s armed forces will respond to the enemy’s new threats with crushing, punishing and devastating responses,” Major-General Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, was quoted as saying.
The diplomatic push comes after Tehran and Washington failed to extend their June memorandum of understanding, leaving the two sides without a renewed framework for negotiations. Iran has continued to keep the Strait of Hormuz partially shut, while the US maintains a naval counterblockade.
US media reports have said the US Navy has been organising and protecting secret tanker convoys through the southern sector of the strait. The convoys are believed to have enabled the export of between five million and 10 million barrels of oil each day.
Trump’s Doubts
In Washington, President Donald Trump said he remained sceptical about Iran’s willingness to reach an agreement. Asked whether US military options against Iran were limited, Trump told reporters: “It just means that we’re seeing what happens.”
“We have total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz, and that means well into it, the land areas. So, they would love to make a deal, but they’re not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion,” he added.
Trump has also threatened economic consequences for countries that provide “any type of lifeline to Iran”. His comments came as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would use sanctions to “collapse” the Iranian government.
Bessent is set to hold a news conference at the Treasury Department on Monday, where he is expected to outline planned sanctions against Iran. The move would mark a shift by the Trump administration towards greater economic pressure as the war approaches its six-month mark.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the proposed sanctions, accusing Washington of “economic terrorism” and saying “the instigators of these sanctions are deserving of trial and punishment”.
China has also criticised the planned measures. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said “sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue” and called on all sides to “take responsible measures and resolve the problem through political and diplomatic means”.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18US President Donald Trump stated on 18 August that there are no ongoing or scheduled talks with Iran. He also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is open and all mines have been removed or detonated. However, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the Strait would remain closed until Washington fulfils conditions from a June 17 interim memorandum.
Ask News18August 22, 2026, 08:17 IST
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