Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has defended Tehran’s continued pursuit of diplomacy alongside its defensive capabilities, saying negotiations can help protect national interests and reduce the risk of further conflict while Iran remains prepared to withstand external pressure. He also said social cohesion and public participation had frustrated US and Israeli calculations aimed at destabilizing Iran.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Saturday on the occasion of National Journalists’ Day, President Pezeshkian said Iran’s foreign policy must be pursued with a clear understanding of the country’s capabilities and circumstances.
He said Iran’s position toward the United States had not changed, but argued that dialogue and diplomacy remained necessary to advance the country’s interests.
The United States is an imperialist and criminal power, President Pezeshkian said, stressing that diplomatic engagement had helped bring Washington to the negotiating table.
He said decisions on war and peace are made within the country’s established command and legal framework, with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution having the final authority. He stressed that the government is not responsible for deciding the war, but is tasked with providing the necessary support and logistics for national defense.
The president also defended Iran’s negotiating team, describing its members as experienced, committed and hardworking, and rejected criticism that diplomacy represented a retreat from Iran’s positions.
Referring to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU), President Pezeshkian said the document contained no provision under which Iran had surrendered its interests or positions. He also said negotiations over blocked Iranian financial resources and investment for rebuilding areas damaged during the recent conflicts had been underway.
He said Iran’s defensive capabilities and national resilience should complement diplomatic efforts.
The president said the United States and the Israeli regime had sought to exploit Iran’s economic and infrastructural vulnerabilities, including imbalances in water, electricity, gas, oil and other sectors.
However, he said the participation of the Iranian people and the cooperation of political and social groups had prevented the country from being destabilized.
The most important factor in frustrating the enemy’s calculations was social cohesion and the presence of the people, President Pezeshkian argued.
He called on political groups and media organizations to avoid deepening divisions and instead emphasize areas of common interest. He said disagreement was natural in any society, but argued that political and media professionals should prevent differences from turning into destructive polarization.
The president identified people’s livelihoods and inflation as his government’s principal concerns. He acknowledged that inflation and foreign-exchange situation remained unacceptable and said war-related restrictions had complicated imports and increased costs.
On internet access, President Pezeshkian said the government remained committed to restoring connectivity while addressing security concerns and protecting critical infrastructure. He said discussions were continuing with senior state officials and the Supreme National Security Council.
The president further stressed that criticism should be accompanied by practical responsibility, urging political figures who claim to have solutions to participate directly in addressing the country’s problems.
He concluded by emphasizing national solidarity, saying Iran belongs to all ethnic and regional communities and that unity was essential to confronting both domestic challenges and external pressure.