Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Wednesday that Iran must transcend the existing 'no war, no peace' situation, as efforts continue to revive negotiations with the United States amidst escalating regional tensions. "We must move beyond the state of neither war nor peace," Pezeshkian remarked during an event in Tehran, as reported by the state news agency IRNA. He emphasized that while war is not in the country's interest, Iran would not capitulate if its dignity, land, or territory were threatened.
According to Anadolu Agency, Pezeshkian highlighted the difficulty of managing the country during war and crises and underscored the necessity for unity and cooperation across all segments of society to tackle challenges facing Iran. He urged for a dignified progression to safeguard the nation's future from adversities, asserting that Iran would not succumb to military pressure or threats. Pezeshkian declared that Iran's surrender would only be realized in its adversaries' dreams, emphasizing the nation's resilience against intimidation.
Pezeshkian condemned recent US and Israeli attacks, describing the assassination of Iranian commanders as intolerable. He accused Iran's adversaries of trying to create divisions within the country and rallying regional states against Tehran. He noted that regional diplomacy was aiding in countering such efforts. The president also addressed the economic hurdles Iran faces due to sanctions and trade route restrictions, acknowledging the severe pressures on the nation.
The president's remarks came after overnight exchanges between Iranian and US forces, highlighting the precariousness of diplomatic efforts and ceasefire arrangements in the region. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that US fighter jets targeted Iranian air defense systems and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched retaliatory attacks on 21 American military targets at US air and naval bases across the region.
Regional tensions have remained elevated since late February, following Israeli and US strikes on Iran that triggered a broader cycle of military escalation and diplomatic confrontations. The latest incident followed several days of fluctuating tensions, during which Israel and Iran exchanged military strikes before stepping back amid efforts to renew diplomacy between Tehran and Washington.