Iranian president: "Talks will be within international law, success depends on US"

The Financial News reported that Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has stressed that any talks with the United States of America (US) on ending the conflict will be conducted strictly in line with international law. He has also argued that the previous breakdown in negotiations was caused by the US.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on the 13th local time, Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call that day, "Iran will continue dialogue only within the framework of international law." He underscored that this principle would guide all future discussions.
Both sides entered a two-week cease-fire starting on the 8th and held their first high-level talks on ending the conflict in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the 11th and 12th, but failed to reach an agreement. Commenting on this, Pezeshkian said, "We have clearly set out the conditions for a cease-fire and we are willing to abide by them."
Explaining why the talks collapsed, he stated, "Despite working-level agreements between the parties, the excessive demands of senior US officials and their lack of political will blocked a final decision on the agreement." He added that "Europe can play a constructive role by encouraging the US to comply with the international framework." Pezeshkian stressed, "Iran has come to the negotiating table in all seriousness, but whether the talks succeed depends entirely on the other side's attitude."
Pezeshkian also warned the US over a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "Any action that threatens the strait will trigger widespread repercussions around the world." He criticized that "an approach based on threats, pressure and military action cannot be a solution and will only make the situation more complicated."
On the issue of Iran's nuclear program, Pezeshkian said, "Iran has never sought measures outside international regulations," and declared that "we are ready to continue negotiations within the existing legal framework."
Macron was reported during the call to have insisted that "Lebanon must be included in any initial cease-fire agreement." The State of Israel is currently continuing airstrikes in Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian armed group based there. Pezeshkian argued that the airstrikes in Lebanon are the main source of tensions in the Middle East, saying, "The killing of hundreds of innocent Lebanese civilians and attacks on civilian facilities, including daycare centers, are a clear example of war crimes."


pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter