Iranian President: "We are working to reach an agreement, the continuation of the war does not serve us"

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said today, Monday, that his country is still striving to reach an agreement that will bring an end to the war, and warned that the continuation of the fighting does not serve the interests of Tehran or the countries of the region. "We are still working to reach an agreement and believe that the continuation of the war does not serve our interests or the interests of the region," said Pezeshkian. According to him, the solution to existing disputes lies in dialogue and cooperation, and diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tension are continuing.

The Iranian president claimed that Tehran had adhered to the framework of the understandings reached in the past, but the American side did not fulfill its commitments. He clarified that Iran is still ready to move forward on the political path, but conditioned this on the United States adhering to the agreements reached and working to restore trust between the sides.

At the same time, before leaving for a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Pezeshkian presented a firmer message: "We are not looking for war, and this is a clear message that we have conveyed to the world. However, we will not sit idly by in the face of any aggression and will respond decisively to the aggressors." According to him, instability and unrest in the region do not serve any of the countries and could place them all before security and economic challenges. He called on the countries of the region to work together for security, the economy, and regional development.

His words were said after the most significant escalation between Iran and the United States in a month. The United States Central Command confirmed that its forces attacked two rocket launchers of the Revolutionary Guards on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the American version, the Iranian forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines and place them in international shipping lanes.

In Iran, they reported dead and wounded among the fighters of the Revolutionary Guards and civilians, but did not publish an official count. A spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards defined the attack as a "strategic and fatal mistake" and said that the United States would pay for its "economic and military miscalculations."

In response to the attack, the Revolutionary Guards launched ballistic missiles at the King Hussein base and the Al-Azraq base in Jordan, where American forces are stationed. Most of the missiles were intercepted, and no casualties or significant damage were reported. The escalation also expanded to the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Defense in Abu Dhabi announced that the Air Force intercepted an Iranian UAV over the country's territorial waters. Iran claimed that it attacked the Al-Minhad base, where American forces and helicopters are stationed, using UAVs, but the UAE denied that the base was damaged.

At the same time, the Revolutionary Guards claimed that a tanker that tried to pass through the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, contrary to Iranian instructions, was damaged by two sea mines and caught fire. According to them, the tanker stopped completely.

US President Donald Trump added to the uncertainty when he posted a video on social media in which Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export center, appeared to be on fire. Trump wrote that the island was "blown to smithereens," but did not provide further details.

Alongside the military escalation, Washington intends to increase economic pressure as well. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the administration is expected to impose new secondary sanctions every week on institutions and entities that conduct business with Iran. The first phase will focus on banks that help Tehran bypass the blockade and the restrictions of the international financial system.

The recent developments led to a rise in oil prices and declines in most stock exchanges in the Gulf. The main concern in the markets is the renewed laying of mines and further damage to the movement of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz - one of the most important energy routes in the world.