Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Friday that peace negotiations in the Middle East will only succeed if conducted without "pressure and threats," as the ongoing conflict remains locked in a stalemate. The remarks were made during his address at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regional summit held in Turkmenistan.
"Dialogue holds meaning and a chance of success only when based on mutual respect and mutual commitments, and when devoid of pressure and threat," Pezeshkian said. He further emphasized that "negotiation conducted in the shadow of force is not negotiation, it is imposition and coercion," warning that continued sanctions on Iran would negatively impact regional trade, connectivity, energy, and order.
The president’s comments follow earlier statements made on Monday, in which he dismissed ongoing talks with the United States as worthless, arguing they had only resulted in renewed attacks. "With an enemy that everyday resorts to assassination, sanctions, pressure and threats, and that breaks its commitments, negotiations are meaningless," he noted.
Background of the Conflict
The war began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran while the two nations were engaged in negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. Although the warring parties agreed to a memorandum of understanding in June outlining a framework for a permanent resolution, Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz prompted a resumption of US military operations. Since then, negotiations have been at an impasse, with recent indirect talks held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly failing to produce a breakthrough.
Washington and Israel have asserted that the war is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal Tehran has long denied pursuing. In recent weeks, the United States has scaled back military operations in favor of economic pressure and has not struck Iran since September 1. The focus of the conflict has shifted significantly to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane whose closure sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
Iran has sought to impose control over the strait since the start of the war, striking vessels that attempt to transit without its authorization. In response, the United States has implemented a counterblockade of Iranian ports and has struck vessels it accuses of violating the blockade.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
