TEHRAN, Iran – In a public statement posted to the social media platform X on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has clarified Tehran’s position following a recent flare-up of cross-border hostilities with Israel, the first armed exchange between the two adversaries since a truce was reached back in April. After Iran halted its targeted attacks on Israel, Pezeshkian emphasized that the country maintains a balanced approach to national security, framing diplomacy and defensive readiness as two complementary pillars of Iranian state power. “Diplomacy and defence are the two wings of national power; we have neither left the battlefield nor the negotiating table,” the president wrote in his post. He added that Tehran will stand firm against all external pressure, stressing that the Iranian government will not back down in the face of any threat to the country’s national interests. The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions that have reignited international calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider escalation of conflict across the Middle East. By publicly committing to both continued dialogue and unwavering defensive preparedness, Pezeshkian’s administration has signaled it intends to pursue a dual strategy that preserves the option for negotiation while rejecting any attempts at intimidation from regional rivals.
President says Iran still at negotiating table after attacks on Israel halted
