Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States, describing it as the most viable path for Iran to move beyond a state of "neither war nor peace." He stated that the Supreme National Security Council views the agreement as the best possible outcome, prioritizing dignity, wisdom, and national interest.
Pezeshkian emphasized that the memorandum contains no provisions of capitulation and affirmed adherence to policies set by the supreme leader. He linked the agreement to Iran's economic recovery, noting that the country's current state of "neither war nor peace" deters investment due to perceived risk. "Capital and money are extremely sensitive to risk," Pezeshkian said. "We have to remove this risk from the country."
The memorandum, signed in June, set a 60-day deadline to end the conflict with the United States and reach an accord on Iran's nuclear program. That period has passed with significant distance remaining between the two sides, particularly on the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
Amidst these developments, the new head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, issued a strong warning to neighboring countries against supporting U.S. efforts to impose further sanctions on Tehran. Rezaei stated that Iran would retaliate "in a seismic manner" if neighbors align with U.S. economic pressure. He further warned that Iran would target oil-shipping routes from the Persian Gulf if neighbors join what he termed an "economic war," considering them enemies and threatening their interests.
Rezaei's comments, made in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, signal a hardening of Tehran's political and military stance. The interview was his most extensive public statement since his appointment this month.
In other regional news, Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was scheduled to travel to Tehran on Monday. Iranian state television reported, citing the Foreign Ministry spokesman, that the visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support Pakistan's efforts to promote regional peace and security. This announcement followed a phone call between Munir and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Meanwhile, violence in the occupied West Bank continues. A Palestinian man reported being beaten by an Israeli settler outside his home with a pipe, causing bruising and pain. He recounted a previous incident a year prior where settlers on his land allegedly attacked him and his son, resulting in him losing a leg. Israel's military also reported pursuing a suspect in a stabbing attack that injured an Israeli man in the eastern West Bank. Palestinian officials report that at least 87 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank this year amid settler and soldier attacks, while three Israelis have been killed by Palestinians.