Pezeshkian: We Defend Our Rights, We Do Not Bow to Force
WANA (Aug 07) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview, outlined his administration’s foreign policy approach, emphasizing that regional diplomatic engagement, military decision-making, and national defense strategies are conducted with the full authorization of the Supreme Leader and in total coordination with the Armed Forces.
He stressed that maintaining domestic unity, preserving national defense capabilities, and enhancing ties with neighboring states remain vital imperatives for navigating current challenges.
Reflecting on regional dynamics, President Pezeshkian stated that Iran has successfully resolved numerous outstanding issues with neighboring countries, resulting in significantly improved bilateral relations. However, he noted that amidst the current conflict, the United States and Israel are actively attempting to rally Persian Gulf nations against Iran.
He affirmed that Tehran is taking proactive diplomatic steps to prevent such a coalition from forming. He also acknowledged internal domestic challenges and differing political perspectives within Iran, noting that external adversaries like the U.S. and Israel routinely attempt to exploit these internal divisions.
The venue of the nuclear negotiations in Geneva and the arrival and departure of the negotiating delegations. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Reaffirming his fundamental belief in Islamic solidarity, Pezeshkian emphasized that Muslim nations are brothers, drawing directly on Islamic principles and scriptural teachings.
He noted that Islamic brotherhood transcends sectarian lines between Shia and Sunni communities, posing the rhetorical question of why Muslim nations should engage in conflict with one another.
European Mediation and the Outbreak of Hostilities
Addressing previous diplomatic efforts, President Pezeshkian commented on past negotiations involving European mediators, specifically France, which aimed to facilitate a potential compromise between Iran and the United States.
He clarified that European powers lacked independent decision-making authority, explaining that although a mutual understanding had been coordinated with French President Emmanuel Macron—with the explicit authorization and guidance of Iran’s late Supreme Leader—European nations ultimately failed to fulfill their commitments because they required external permission.
Snapback Activated: Four Scenarios for Iran’s Response
WANA (Sep 30) – The United Nations issued an official statement declaring that the “snapback mechanism” had been activated, reinstating six previous Security Council sanctions resolutions against Iran. This development marks a new turning point in the nuclear dispute between Iran and the West, placing Tehran before a limited but costly set of options. […]
Pezeshkian noted that European states subsequently initiated the activation of the “snapback” mechanism. He emphasized that had European leaders adhered to the terms agreed upon with President Macron, the activation of the snapback framework would have been completely unnecessary.
He stressed that Washington reneged on the deal, pointing out that Western nations ultimately chose to escalate tension rather than uphold signed commitments.
The Iranian President firmly rejected assertions that Tehran initiated the war, clarifying that Iran was actively engaged in dialogue when external powers launched hostilities.
He stated that adversaries operated on the strategic miscalculation that continuous military and economic pressure would cause the Iranian state to collapse from within. However, Pezeshkian emphasized that the Iranian public resisted the pressure—even those with grievances—enabling the country to endure the conflict and emerge in a stronger, more resilient position.
People walk past an anti-U.S. billboard on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Regional Strikes, Self-Defense, and National Sovereignty
Regarding military operations conducted against U.S. installations across the region during the 12-day conflict and the subsequent, more extensive 40-day conflict, President Pezeshkian defended the strikes as legitimate and necessary acts of self-defense.
He pointed out that U.S. forces utilized bases located within friendly, neighboring Muslim countries to launch strikes against Iranian infrastructure and civilian targets, specifically referencing attacks on facilities such as a school in Minab.
Pezeshkian questioned why neighboring states permitted foreign forces to use their territory to launch strikes against Iran. He emphasized that Tehran holds no desire to target neighboring nations, but maintains a policy of striking the exact locations from which attacks against Iranian territory originate.
He criticized the U.S. military presence in the region, questioning why Washington should maintain bases to suppress regional states, and rejected any expectation that Iran should submit to foreign hegemony or resource exploitation.
IRGC to Kuwait: U.S. Military Bases Violate Your Sovereignty, Not Iran
WANA (Jul 23) – The Public Relations office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued Statement No. 44 today, addressing the citizens of Kuwait following strikes against U.S. military installations hosted on Kuwaiti territory. In the statement, the IRGC outlined recent military actions targeting U.S. assets at Ali Al Salem Air Base and […]
Highlighting internal defense efforts, Pezeshkian commended the performance of the Aerospace Forces, the Army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and all defense personnel.
He attributed their performance to public support and coordinated government management, asserting that military operations could not have succeeded without unified state backing.
He emphasized that the government, security apparatus, and military function as a single, cohesive body, rejecting efforts by critics to sow internal division.
Negotiation Logistics, Diplomatic Gains, and the Strait of Hormuz
Addressing criticism surrounding two rounds of mediated talks with the United States—conducted before the 12-day war and after it—Pezeshkian rejected claims by hardline critics who argued that negotiations were a trap or that the administration had pressured the Supreme Leader into approving dialogue.
He stated that true wisdom lies in understanding national power and capabilities, affirming that while Iran will never submit to coercion, the optimal path is mutual non-interference.
Pezeshkian asserted that foreign demands during negotiations aimed at total strategic disarmament, which would have left Iran vulnerable to a fate similar to Gaza. He affirmed that Iran will never surrender its defensive power or bow to external demands. However, he clarified that, unlike Israel’s territorial ambitions, Iran seeks no territorial expansion or aggression against its neighbors.
The President stoutly defended the memorandum of understanding achieved through diplomacy, calling it a strategic victory. He highlighted that through negotiations, Iran successfully halted active hostilities in Lebanon that were claiming scores of lives daily, lifted economic blockades, and secured the return of financial assets and sanctions waivers.
In return, Iran agreed to permit maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz strictly in accordance with Iranian regulations and national sovereignty. He added that Iranian forces took decisive military action against vessels that breached these agreed-upon parameters.
Latest Situation in the Strait of Hormuz
WANA (Jul 28) – The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of regional maritime and security developments, with the latest reports indicating that the strategic waterway remains completely closed and that Iran maintains full control over its entry and exit points. Efforts by the United States to reopen the strait through military means have […]
Pezeshkian challenged domestic critics to identify a single concession in the agreement where Iran compromised its core interests, asserting that continuing endless war serves only Israeli interests. He affirmed that while Iran will fight relentlessly if forced to surrender, it will always utilize diplomacy to secure national rights when possible.
State Consensus, High-Level Signatures, and Command Alignment
President Pezeshkian dismissed reports of discord, revealing that 12 of 13 Supreme National Security Council members approved the negotiation decision. He said military commanders fully support it based on logic, realities, and societal needs.
Reaffirming his alignment with the leadership, Pezeshkian stated that his commitment to the Supreme Leader is rooted in both personal conviction and governance logic, which requires a single ultimate authority in state affairs.
He flatly rejected claims that the administration operated out of step with the Supreme Leader, asserting that no previous government has aligned more closely with the Leader’s strategic policies.
Violation of the Agreement Once Again Proves the U.S. President’s Signature Is Worthless
WANA (Jul 18) – In a message addressed to the Iranian people, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed appreciation for the massive public turnout at the funeral procession of the “Martyr of Iran,”(Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei) describing it as an “unprecedented and historic epic.” At the same time, he said that the United […]
Pezeshkian also denied rumors circulating on social media regarding his potential resignation, stating firmly that he will not resign, but will instead remain in office to serve the public and address systemic obstacles directly.
Finally, explaining the composition and execution of the negotiating team, Pezeshkian confirmed that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was personally requested to lead the diplomatic delegation to demonstrate complete unity across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Regarding the final signing procedure, Pezeshkian explained that while delegation-level signatures in Geneva were initially planned, the protocol was swiftly elevated to the head-of-state level after U.S. President Donald Trump decided to sign the document directly.
To ensure equivalent legal authority and international standing, President Pezeshkian executed the document personally on behalf of the Islamic Republic.
Islamabad Memorandum Finalized with Signatures of Iranian and U.S. Presidents
WANA (Jun 18) – Foreign Ministry spokesperson says the Islamabad Memorandum has been signed digitally by the presidents of Iran and the United States, stressing that the most challenging phase now lies in implementing the agreement, lifting sanctions, and advancing nuclear negotiations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced early Thursday that the Islamabad […]
