Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for ending the war with the United States, breaking with hardliners who want to keep fighting. The push for diplomacy comes as inflation rises and Iran's currency sinks to record lows, and as the US Treasury prepares new measures to isolate the country economically.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an end to the war with the United States, challenging hardliners who want to continue fighting. According to the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency, he argued it would be better to end the war now, while Iran holds "power and dignity" and the world acknowledges its victory.
Pezeshkian holds Iran's top elected office, though his role is largely confined to domestic economic policy. Diplomacy has nonetheless become his focus since a ceasefire collapsed.
Oil holds steady after the comments
WTI crude oil futures traded roughly flat on Friday, around $87, following his remarks.
Diplomats push economic recovery, but Washington adds pressure
Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have advocated for ending the war through diplomacy and focusing on economic recovery since the ceasefire broke down. The war has increased inflation in Iran and pushed the country's currency to record lows against the dollar.
At the same time, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to unveil plans to economically isolate Iran and its trading partners.
Hardliners argue the fight should continue
Some Iranian officials, including members of the military leadership, argue that Iran is winning and should continue the fight that began in late February, when the US and Israel started their bombing campaign. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has shifted to an offensive doctrine, with several military appointments meant to support fighting in enemy territory, a senior official said last week.
That divide leaves Pezeshkian's push for peace facing resistance from within Iran's own military establishment.
Source: Investing.com
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