Former Iran president Khatami warns against prolonged war, urges diplomacy with US, Israel: ‘We cannot live with war’

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has cautioned against an extended conflict with the United States and Israel, emphasizing that Iran cannot continue under wartime conditions. Khatami stated that while Iran has withstood external pressures, prolonged war would create significant challenges for the country and its people.

He warned that daily life would be disrupted, needs unmet, and governance difficult. Khatami rejected the notion that foreign military pressure or a full-scale war could overthrow Iran’s political system, asserting the Islamic Republic’s resilience. However, he cautioned that the regime could face a different threat if it fails to address internal issues that have eroded public support.

Khatami’s plea for diplomacy surfaces amid ongoing tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel, with the risk of further military escalation looming large. Iran’s leadership maintains unity in its resolve to withstand the US and its allies, yet divisions exist over the ultimate resolution to the conflict. These divisions mainly stem from the ultra-hardline Paydari movement, which opposes negotiations and seeks total victory, versus a more pragmatic group aligned with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Paydari supporters argue for continued military pressure and refusal of compromises, while the pragmatic camp sees military action as leverage for negotiations. They also highlight Iran’s worsening economic conditions, including a weakening currency, rising inflation, and unemployment, arguing that prolonged conflict could further alienate the public.