Iran’s president says it is time to end war while in position of strength

In Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Friday that it was time to end the ongoing war with the United States, stating that Tehran was in a stronger position than Washington. The two nations, embroiled in a conflict initiated by the US and Israel in February, remain in a stalemate. Tehran has partially closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, while Washington maintains a naval counter-blockade of Iran.

Pezeshkian made these remarks during a meeting with doctors, emphasizing the international community's acknowledgment of Iran's "victory" and the US's violations of agreements, including attacks on its schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the US in June, asserting that it did not signify defeat for Tehran. He argued that the agreement's commitments pertain only to the US, not Iran. Hardline members of Iran's parliament have criticized the government for the deal, accusing it of yielding concessions to Washington, primarily concerning the reopening of the strategic Hormuz Strait.

Meanwhile, the US has reportedly organized and protected secret tanker convoys through the southern section of the Strait of Hormuz, allowing between five and ten million barrels of oil to be exported daily. Iran claims to be in a stronger position, while the US plans to intensify sanctions against Tehran, which has been met with condemnation from Iran's foreign ministry as "economic terrorism" and "crimes against humanity."

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed that the plan would "collapse" the Iranian regime, highlighting the shift from military to economic pressure under the Trump administration.

China also criticized the US economic plan, asserting that sanctions and pressure would not resolve the Middle East conflict. China called for responsible measures and diplomatic solutions to the issue. US President Donald Trump's threats and Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the White House on September 24 were also mentioned in the context of Iran's ongoing war with the US.