Iran’s president says US war not in Tehran’s interest after fighting flares

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that waging war with the US is not in Iran's best interest, following recent military confrontations between the two nations. He made these comments during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan. Pezeshkian emphasized that resolving current disputes requires dialogue and cooperation, and that all resources should be utilized to prevent the escalation of insecurity and conflict.

This perspective emerged after US forces targeted Iran's Larak Island, marking the first time in a month that hostilities between Iran and the US have erupted around the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran launched strikes on US military bases in Jordan and the UAE, attributing the attacks to US military installations.

The conflict between the two countries escalated following a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, along with other high-ranking military officials. Iran retaliated by initiating attacks across the region, prolonging the conflict despite the implementation of a ceasefire in April.

However, sporadic skirmishes, primarily around the Strait of Hormuz, have continued to hinder the prospects for a comprehensive peace deal. Moreover, the US has recently ramped up economic sanctions against Iran, under the guise of the "economic asphyxiation" strategy.