Pezeshkian denies rift with the army and accuses: "These are Israel's words"

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has recently addressed the internal tension in the country, the relations between the government and the armed forces, and the diplomatic contacts with the West, emphasizing that there is no intention in Tehran to surrender to the pressures exerted upon it.

Regarding the claims of a rift between the government and the armed forces, Pezeshkian said:

"When they say that the army is on one side and the government is on another, it means creating a rift. These are Israel's words."

The Iranian president added that he does not see himself as separate from the armed forces and that he supports them.

Furthermore, Pezeshkian said regarding the possibility of being killed in the course of the conflicts:

"Not only am I not afraid of death for the sake of God - for me, it is a victory."

These remarks were made in the context of criticism he voiced regarding attempts, according to him, to create a separation between the political echelon and the army.

Regarding unity in the Muslim world, the Iranian president said that his perception is that "all Muslims are brothers," and emphasized that this is true for both Shiites and Sunnis. Pezeshkian repeated on several occasions his position that the countries of the region should reduce the disputes between them and strengthen their relations.

Pezeshkian also addressed the contacts with European countries regarding the "snapback" mechanism. According to him, "We reached understandings with France and European countries, and they were supposed to coordinate the conduct with the American side." He added that afterwards, the Americans rejected the understandings.

The Iranian president also claimed regarding the failure of the contacts: "In fact, it is the United States that does not allow the agreement between us and Europe to materialize in the international arena." According to him, the Europeans and Iran reached understandings more than once, but after consultation with Washington, they did not mature into an agreement.

Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is willing to continue the contacts, but is not willing to accept, according to him, demands that it sees as unreasonable. Referring to the talks with the Europeans, he said in the past: "We supposedly reached agreements with them, but after they spoke with the Americans, they raised various excuses."