Iran’s President says US ‘must choose’ whether to end war

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that it is solely up to the United States to decide whether to end the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking at the United Nations on Wednesday, Pezeshkian showed a defiant stance, asserting that Tehran has no desire to continue the war. He emphasized that Iran is prepared to strike a deal with the US to put an end to the conflict, but the onus lies with Washington to make the choice.

According to Pezeshkian, the US must choose whether it wishes to bring an end to the war or not. He criticized the collapse of a fragile ceasefire, questioning why a deal signed two weeks prior was allowed to be destroyed. Pezeshkian also maintained that Iran would not bow to pressure from Washington and other Western nations, including Israel, which he blamed for instigating the war.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Steve Witkoff, a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, during the UN General Assembly in New York. However, these talks did not result in a breakthrough.

The conflict between Yemen's Houthi militant movement and Saudi Arabia has drawn accusations from the US and its allies that Iran is backing the Houthis. However, Pezeshkian insisted that the Houthis are acting independently and that they do not receive orders from the Iranian government. He also noted that Iran has contacts with the Houthis, but there is no systematic relationship.

Recently, Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles after issuing warnings to several regions, including Mecca. The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, targeting its tankers and territory, and seizing parts of the Red Sea coast vital for Saudi oil exports. This action has led to a rise in energy prices, as Iran and its allies maintain control over the critical shipping routes that support Saudi oil exports.