Iran’s President Speaks in Favor of De-escalation, Blames Israel for Tensions
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered a path to de-escalation in the ongoing tensions with Israel, but only if Israel reciprocates the commitment, Bloomberg reports.
“We’re willing to put all our weapons aside so long as Israel is willing to do the same,” Pezeshkian told reporters on Monday, ahead of his address to the UN General Assembly.
The Iranian president’s comments come amid a surge in violence between Iran and Israel, followed by Tehran’s accusations that Israel was behind a deadly explosion in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group. Iran has threatened retaliation for the attack, which injured thousands, including Iran’s ambassador to Beirut.
While emphasizing Iran’s desire for peace, Pezeshkian also expressed a willingness to support its allies, including Hezbollah, who are actively engaged in conflict with Israel.
“They don’t take orders from anyone,” Pezeshkian said, referring to Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups like Hamas in Gaza and Houthi rebels in Yemen. “It’s not like Yemenis are waiting for us to tell them what to do or what not to do.”
The ongoing exchange of rocket fire between Israel and Hezbollah, along with the conflict in Gaza, has raised fears of a wider regional war, potentially drawing in the US and Iran.
“If a war erupts in the region, it would serve no one’s interest,” said Pezeshkian, placing blame for the escalating tensions on Israel. “We don’t want to fight. It’s Israel that wants to drag everyone into war and destabilize the region.”
Pezeshkian also refuted claims that Iran had prior knowledge of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, stating that both the US and Israel are aware of Iran’s lack of involvement.
