Iran president says time to end war while in position of strength

On Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared it was time to bring an end to the ongoing Middle East war with the United States, stating that Tehran now holds a stronger position than Washington. The conflict, initiated by the US and Israel in February, remains a stalemate with no progress in talks between the bitter adversaries.

Tehran has partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington persists with a naval blockade of Iran. Pezeshkian made his remarks during a meeting with doctors, asserting that the world recognizes Iran's "victory" and emphasizes that America has attacked Iranian schools, hospitals, and infrastructure in violation of international regulations.

He also defended a June memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war, claiming it did not signify a defeat for Tehran, as all commitments concern the other side.

Hardline lawmakers in Iran's parliament have criticized the government's agreement with the US, accusing it of making concessions to the US, particularly regarding the reopening of the strategic Hormuz Strait. Reports suggest that the American navy has been organizing and protecting secret tanker convoys through the southern sector of the Strait of Hormuz, allowing between five and ten million barrels of oil per day to be exported.

Meanwhile, the US has vowed to increase sanctions on Iran, drawing condemnation from the Iranian foreign ministry, which accused the US of "economic terrorism" and "crimes against humanity." US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed that Washington would "collapse" the Iranian regime through its economic campaign, nearly six months since the war began.

China also criticized the US economic plan, stating that sanctions and pressure would not resolve the Middle East conflict, urging all relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve the issue through political and diplomatic means. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the White House on September 24, as the topic of Iran is sure to come up during the meeting.

US Treasury chief Bessent emphasized that the plan to ramp up economic sanctions against Iran would make it less likely for Washington to resort to heavy military operations against the country, hoping to avoid the need for a "new D-Day" of military action.