European Council President António Costa urged Iran to resume co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and fully restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz during a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday. Costa also called on Tehran to halt the strikes it is carrying out against its neighbours.
Pezeshkian links dialogue to an end to threats
Costa’s call coincided with an address by Pezeshkian to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, in which he said Iran still believed in diplomatic solutions and was ready for dialogue, but rejected holding it under the threat of force. The Iranian president addressed US President Donald Trump, saying: “We are ready for diplomacy, but not under the threat of force.”
He added that Tehran wanted joint co-operation to achieve security, reiterating that his country “still believes in diplomacy”. Pezeshkian said Iran had not initiated an attack against any party and had not started a war, stressing what he described as his country’s commitment to the negotiating table.
Iranian president rejects terrorism allegations
He added: “Iran has never been the aggressor, has never started a war, and has always demonstrated its commitment to the negotiating table. War was imposed on us, but we proved that we are not afraid of fighting.” The Iranian president rejected Trump’s accusation that Tehran was involved in “terrorism”, saying that his country was a victim of terrorism. He said in his address: “The president of the United States described us as terrorists. We are victims of terrorism.”
Pezeshkian continued: “Yes, I come from Iran, where our respected Supreme Leader was assassinated without any justification or legal framework. I come from Iran, where they bombed a school,” referring to the bombing of the school at the start of the latest war.
His remarks came as the president of the European Council was calling on Tehran to take steps relating to nuclear co-operation, the security of neighbouring countries and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
