TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on US President Donald Trump to avoid actions that could further destabilise the region, saying outstanding disputes can be resolved through dialogue and implementation of existing understandings.
Speaking at a ceremony in Tehran, Pezeshkian said negotiations remained the preferred way to protect Iran’s interests and resolve disagreements. He stressed, however, that Iran would respond firmly to any military aggression.
“We do not want war, but we will defend ourselves against aggression,” the Iranian president said, according to local media.
Pezeshkian maintained that neither Iran’s leadership nor its people would surrender in the face of threats. He said Tehran was prepared to pursue diplomatic solutions while maintaining its ability to defend its territory.
The Iranian president also accused Israel of attempting to create divisions among Muslim countries and called for greater unity among Islamic states.
Turning to Iran’s domestic challenges, Pezeshkian said maintaining industrial activity through the coming winter was a key government priority. He directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted supplies of gas, electricity and water to industrial facilities.
He said any restrictions required to manage shortages should initially target government offices and public buildings rather than placing the burden on ordinary citizens.
Meanwhile, Tehran Governor Mohammad-Sadeq Motamedian said Iran faced exceptional circumstances during the recent conflict because of sanctions, attacks on infrastructure and restrictions on maritime movement.
He said more than 1,200 electricity infrastructure sites in Tehran province were targeted during the conflict, while water, telecommunications and gas facilities were also damaged. According to the governor, authorities restored essential services relatively quickly.
Iran has also sought to maintain its oil revenues despite restrictions on maritime trade. A report citing the country’s Oil Ministry said around $7.5 billion in oil revenue had been transferred to the central bank during the first four months of the Iranian year.
The Iranian government separately said diplomacy and national defence remained closely linked components of its strategy. It pledged to resist US sanctions while focusing on controlling inflation, creating employment, supporting domestic production and reducing reliance on the US dollar.
The developments come amid wider concerns over the impact of the Middle East conflict on international security and trade.
The International Maritime Organisation has warned that hundreds of vessels and thousands of seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf because of security risks. The organisation said disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz were continuing to affect global fuel and fertiliser supply chains.
The waterway is a crucial route for international energy shipments, making continued instability there a major concern for global markets.
At the same time, reports have raised questions about the impact of the conflict on US military stockpiles after Washington deployed substantial air-defence and missile assets to the region. US officials have rejected claims that American weapons inventories have reached critical levels.
