Tehran ready to pursue diplomacy to end war if rights safeguarded: Iran’s president

Tehran: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country is ready to pursue diplomatic paths to end the war with the United States and Israel, while insisting on safeguarding the Iranian nation’s rights.

In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (local time), Pezeshkian expressed deep distrust of the United States, citing recent hostile actions, including two attacks on Iran during bilateral talks, which he described as “stabbing Iran in the back,” according to a statement published on the website of his office.

The phone conversation came as Axios reported earlier in the day that the United States and Iran are closing in on a one-page memo to end their war, reports Xinhua news agency.

It said a potential deal would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, and the United States agreeing to lift sanctions, with both sides lifting restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, the United States and Israel reached the ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting that started with the US and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28.

Following the truce, Iran and the United States held one round of peace talks in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on April 11 and 12, which failed to lead to an agreement.

Over the past weeks, the two sides have exchanged a number of proposed plans to end the war, with the latest one currently being reviewed by Iran.

Additionally, Iran has said it has not exchanged any new written messages with the United States, pushing back against reports that the two sides are close to a one-page agreement to end hostilities.

The semi-official Fars news agency called recent media reports “fabricated,” saying they were designed to influence global markets and drive down oil prices rather than reflect the situation on the ground.

Fars, citing two unnamed sources, said Iran has not yet responded to the latest US message, which was delivered through Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran is still reviewing the US proposal and will respond after completing its assessment, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency.

IANS