Pezeshkian calls for end to war as truce lapses
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that it was an opportune moment to seek to end the war with the United States, according to state media reports. Speaking at a medical conference, Pezeshkian argued that Tehran was negotiating from a position of strength. "It is better to end it today, as we are in a position of strength and dignity," he was quoted as saying, according to the state news agency IRNA. He added, "The whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasizes that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world."
The comments came as the partial truce agreed in June expired without progress or renewal on Monday. That agreement, a 15-point Memorandum of Understanding, was brokered by Pakistan and signed by President Donald Trump and President Pezeshkian on June 17. Most commitments in the MOU concern the US side, according to President Pezeshkian, who argued that it did not signal defeat for Iran. "They cannot find even a single clause in this commitment that indicates capitulation," he said. "All the commitments concern the other side." Iran's own commitments under the agreement reportedly included allowing commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz without charge, at least temporarily, and reaffirming that it would not procure or develop nuclear weapons.
However, the practical situation on the waterway remains fraught. Tehran continues to severely limit shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States is trying to enforce what it refers to as a blockade of Iran's ports.
Internal divisions over the path forward
Pezeshkian's remarks come amid signs of a significant internal debate within Iran's political establishment. According to The Wall Street Journal, a group of leading Iranian political figures believe Tehran is in an advantageous position in the Middle East conflict and see this as the opportune time to hold talks to end the war. The same report, citing comments by Pezeshkian and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, indicates that moderates are seeking an end to the war to revive the country's flagging economy. "The war must come to an end at some point," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying. "It is better that we demonstrate our strength and dignity today and tell the world that we have won and that we are ending the war." Ghalibaf echoed that sentiment, arguing, "No matter how much military power we have, if our people are not economically secure and we lack financial circulation and economic growth, we will not achieve victory."
This push for a negotiated end to the conflict stands in stark contrast to the stance of hardliners within the Iranian leadership, who, according to international media reports, favor prolonging the war.
US escalates economic pressure
The diplomatic maneuvering comes as the United States intensifies its economic campaign against Tehran. President Trump announced a "most crushing economic operation" against Iran on Wednesday, vowing "tremendous economic consequences" for any country whose institutions facilitate business or trade with Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions regime aims to "collapse" the Iranian government, calling it the "greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world." Bessent declined to comment publicly on whether China would be asked to join the pressure campaign.
In response to the escalating rhetoric, an Iranian military leader, Major General Ali Abdollahi, warned of "crushing, punishing and devastating responses" if the US attempts to isolate Iran further economically. Chief negotiator Mohammad Qalibaf called for intensified negotiations and suggested that Washington appeared to have concluded it could not prevail in a direct military confrontation.
Pezeshkian, addressing his audience of doctors directly, was resolute. "Under no circumstances will we bow to intimidation," he said, vowing that Iran would resist "until our last breath."