Pezeshkian offers US olive branch. says Tehran will reciprocate if Washington honours interim deal commitments

President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran stated on Tuesday that Tehran would reciprocate if the United States returns to its commitments under an interim deal signed in June. This declaration came at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, following the first exchange of direct attacks between the US and Iran since late July.

The conflict escalated with the US striking Larak Island and Iran retaliating by launching attacks on two US air bases in Jordan. Pezeshkian emphasized in state media that Iran would reciprocate immediately if the US fulfills its obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding. This interim deal, aimed at ending the war initiated by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, aimed to pave the way for final peace talks but later failed due to accusations of violations by both sides.

Tehran has consistently demanded free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil supplies, contingent on the US adhering to the agreement's terms. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously urged the US to "return to its commitments and to what their president signed," suggesting that compliance could put the conflict back on the right track.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told Fox News that he expected a "response" to the Iranian attacks but insisted the renewed strikes did not indicate a return to full-scale war.