Iranian President Phones NATO Powerhouse, Sets Conditions for Peace with Trump

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has asserted that there is no point in discussing the cessation of attacks unless there are assurances that Iran will not face further aggression in the future. This firm statement comes amid escalating conflict involving major powers in the Middle East.

In a post on platform X on Wednesday (18/03/2026), Pezeshkian referred to a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding what he described as aggression by the United States (US) and Israel against Iran. During the discussion, the Iranian leader emphasised his country’s position in the ongoing conflict.

“I emphasised that Iran did not start this terrible war. Defending oneself from invasion is a natural right, and we are very skilled at it,” Pezeshkian said, as also quoted by Middle East Monitor.

Pezeshkian underlined that talks on peace must be based on absolute territorial security. He stated that any goodwill to end the dispute would mean nothing if physical threats to Iran’s sovereignty still loomed.

“Talking about ending the war is meaningless until we ensure there will be no more attacks on our soil in the future,” Pezeshkian asserted.

Additionally, Pezeshkian highlighted the presence of foreign militaries that he considers disruptive to regional stability. He urged an immediate halt to the use of US military bases in the Middle East for attacking Iran, as such actions are seen to damage Tehran’s relations with its neighbours.

Pezeshkian added that peace and stability in the region cannot be achieved by ignoring US and Israeli attacks on Iran. He assured that his country would not surrender to the aggressors.

“Starting a war to conquer, based on false information, is a medieval act carried out in the 21st century,” Pezeshkian concluded.