Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on US President Donald Trump to refrain from escalating tensions, conveying that Tehran views its disagreements with Washington as resolvable through negotiation and the fulfilment of a bilateral memorandum of understanding. Addressing an audience at a Tehran ceremony on 29 August, Pezeshkian stated that diplomatic engagement offered a route to resolving outstanding matters while protecting the country's interests, a news agency reported, adding that he believed dialogue conducted under a memorandum of understanding would enable the two sides to settle disputes and uphold their respective rights.
Pezeshkian stated that restraint from Trump on actions that could destabilise the region would serve the interests of Iran, the broader area, and the international community. He went on to claim that Israel bore responsibility for instability across the region and was actively seeking to deepen divisions among Muslim-majority countries.
The head of state indicated that the country had no desire for warfare but would defend itself against any attack, and that a nation acting in defence of its own land could not be forced to surrender. Maintaining factory output through the upcoming winter months was among the domestic issues he put forward as a top concern. Pezeshkian stated that industrial supply chains ought to be safeguarded, and that any rationing of water or power would be applied to government buildings and public facilities ahead of private residences.
In separate remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi alleged that certain elements within the US government, along with parties aligned with Israel, were working to distort energy markets and prolong the ongoing conflict. Araghchi posted on X that intelligence services had identified what he characterised as coordinated efforts to manipulate energy markets. He alleged that certain figures within the administration were manipulating what he characterised as receptive media organisations to shift prices for private gain while keeping Trump entangled in a prolonged conflict, with Araghchi adding that parties aligned with Israel were also encouraging military action through favourable assessments, leaving ordinary consumers to absorb the financial burden. No corroborating documentation was offered to back the claims.
The remarks follow the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Israel against Iran, with military operations targeting Iranian defence, nuclear, and infrastructure facilities commencing on 28 February. Ballistic missiles and drones were fired by Iran at Israeli territory and US military installations across the region.
A 14-point framework agreement, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, was concluded between Tehran and Washington in June, suspending armed conflict and establishing a 60-day window for talks toward a wider accord. The deal covered matters such as freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a naval blockade, economic penalties, and Tehran's frozen financial reserves. Iran has indicated that advancement in negotiations depends on the United States fulfilling its obligations, with officials tying the complete reopening of the strategic waterway to that compliance.
