Iranian President urges end to 'neither war nor peace' situation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday (22/8) that Tehran has no intention of making concessions and stressed the need to move beyond what he described as a state of ‘neither war nor peace’, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.

Pezeshkian said Iranian officials discuss almost daily how to exit this situation and reach an understanding that preserves Iran’s principles and values, while preventing those considered enemies from contemplating further attacks.

He said war offers no solution, while prolonged uncertainty over the possibility of renewed fighting is also taking a heavy toll on the country’s economy.

Pezeshkian warned that it will be difficult to attract investment as long as the threat of renewed conflict remains. He stressed the need to address the situation through a rational approach without sacrificing Iran’s strength.

The Iranian president also defended the memorandum of understanding recently reached with the United States. According to him, the document contains no provisions that could be considered a form of surrender, nor does it oblige Tehran to make concessions.

Iran and the US signed the memorandum of understanding in June through mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. The agreement ended hostilities that began in February and opened the way for negotiations towards a final settlement.

However, talks have stalled due to disagreements over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding and arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas exports.