Iran's president says ready for dialogue without surrender
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated his country's commitment to dialogue in defence of its rights, while stressing that Tehran will not allow itself to be forced into capitulation. When the president of a country under sanctions pressure and military threat speaks of dialogue but simultaneously rejects capitulation, this balancing act becomes the main intrigue of Middle Eastern politics. Masoud Pezeshkian, marking two years in power, finds himself at the centre of a complex game where every step is between concessions and sovereignty, between memorandums and real actions.
Iran, which signed a ceasefire agreement with the United States in June, is trying to save face by claiming it made no concessions, while admitting that Washington shifted its position within 24 hours. Diplomacy with Europe, warnings about US and Israeli machinations against Arab neighbours, denial of resignation rumours – all of this paints a picture of a regime fighting for survival but not ready to give up. Every statement by Pezeshkian is not just words but an attempt to maintain balance between domestic expectations and external challenges, between promises and reality.
In a televised address marking his two years in office, Pezeshkian defended his administration's decisions, entering into an international alliance with the United States and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on continuing the war. Iran and the US endorsed the MoU in June. According to the document, the parties were to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement. Pezeshkian said Iran made no concessions during the implementation of the ceasefire memorandum.
He noted that the ceasefire agreement was originally supposed to be signed by US President Donald Trump to ensure compliance, but the American side completely reversed its position in less than 24 hours. Iran remains committed to its obligations as long as the US fulfils its commitments under the MoU, Pezeshkian said, adding: "Where they do not fulfil their obligations, we have no further duties." Speaking about diplomacy with Europe, Pezeshkian said Iran had reached a mutual understanding with France on frameworks aimed at preventing the "snapback" mechanism, but the US is not ensuring that it happens.
Europe does not have the authority to make independent decisions, he noted. Regarding Iran's relations with neighbouring countries, Pezeshkian warned that the US and Israel are seeking to drive a wedge between Iran and the Gulf states during the recent conflict. He stressed that Iran does not intend to attack other countries, seize territories or expand its borders, but will protect its national sovereignty and security. US armed forces used their bases in these countries to strike Iran, and Iran was forced to take self-defence measures, he said, calling on Islamic countries to strengthen solidarity and trust. Pezeshkian dismissed reports of disagreements between the government and the armed forces, saying that close coordination of positions among the government, parliament, judiciary and armed forces had successfully disproved foreign opponents' predictions of the collapse of the Iranian regime.
The Iranian president also denied rumours of his intention to resign, saying it would not affect his service to the Iranian people. The Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US, signed in June 2026, was an unexpected diplomatic move amid ongoing tensions following strikes on Iranian territory. The document envisaged a ceasefire regime and a 60 day negotiation process, but within weeks the parties accused each other of violating commitments.
Pezeshkian, who came to power in 2024 as a reformist candidate, is trying to navigate between the hardline stance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the need for dialogue with the West to lift sanctions. His statements about "driving a wedge" between Iran and Arab monarchies echo Tehran's long standing fears of US attempts to create an anti Iran alliance in the region. At the same time, he is trying to reassure the domestic audience by denying elite conflicts and rumours of his resignation.
The foreign policy situation remains extremely complex: Europe does not want to unilaterally trigger the "snapback" mechanism on the nuclear deal, but the US, according to Pezeshkian, is sabotaging the agreements. The prospects for a final agreement with Washington are unclear, and regional escalation continues.
As CCTV+ reports, Iran's position remains firm: dialogue is possible, but not at any cost, and Tehran will continue to defend its interests, relying on internal coordination and regional allies, despite pressure and attempts at isolation.
