Iranian President Pezeshkian: “The US needs to end its hostility towards us”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in his first press conference since taking office, “We are not in a hostile attitude against the US. The US also needs to end its hostility towards us and demonstrate goodwill in practice.”

Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian held his first press conference after taking office. In the meeting held at the International Conference Center in the capital Tehran, Pezeshkian responded to journalists’ questions and addressed the steps to be taken by the 14th government to improve the current poverty and economy. Pezeshkian said, “We have no option other than to resolve the issue of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regarding the removal of sanctions. Therefore, I will write a letter to the Joint Decision Committee and ensure that the FATF issue is brought back to the agenda. I think this issue needs to be resolved.”

Pezeshkian stated that they will primarily try to improve relations with neighboring countries, saying, “During our visits to Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and Baghdad, we spoke with officials there. They also suggested creating strategic plans and executing joint projects. We can implement such strategic plans with Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and other neighboring countries as well. It is necessary to create a free market to ensure growth and to develop foreign investments and connections.”

Pezeshkian emphasized the need to implement the 25-year cooperation agreement signed between Iran and China, stating, “Most of our relations are with China, Russia, and neighboring countries. China’s mediation in resolving the issues between us and Saudi Arabia has been a significant step towards achieving harmony in the region. As President, I am determined to implement everything that is written and needs to be applied. I will examine the reasons for this agreement’s non-implementation and ensure its application.”

Pezeshkian added, “Improving communication routes between countries in the region will help us ensure China’s access to Iranian markets and Iran’s access to China in a fully coordinated manner. We want to recreate the main roads that were part of the Silk Road in the past. We will develop these routes with today’s technology and capabilities. We will be a strong strategic partner with China and will strengthen this partnership. We will work to implement what is written in future collaborations and to increase cooperation.”

“Our first priority is to find a common perspective and language internally” Pezeshkian responded to a question regarding the barriers to removing borders between Iran and its neighbors by benefiting from the experiences of the European Union, saying, “I have always thought, why don’t we Muslims act in a way that others would envy us? Why should there be borders between us? Just as they have their governments and sovereignties, we have ours. So why can’t people in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran easily board trains and go to Najaf, Medina, Mecca, and Istanbul? Being able to travel freely with each other means ensuring our security and developing our economy and culture. In this way, we can have a common perspective and become a united force against those who wish to act against us.”

Stating that mutual wars, disputes, and ambitions should be set aside and problems should be solved together, Masoud Pezeshkian said, “If we can resolve internal issues first, we can create trust for investors, experts, and producers. Therefore, we must provide an appropriate environment that supports their efforts. We also need to resolve issues related to FATF, the nuclear agreement, and other international relations. We can create an employment and investment environment in our country.”

Pezeshkian mentioned three main priorities in domestic policy to increase the well-being of the people, stating, “Our first priority is to find a common perspective and language. Secondly, it is to align this perspective and language with goals and policies. Thirdly, it is to ensure the implementation and design of this system. For this purpose, we have instructed all institutions to prepare programs.”

“We are not sending missiles to Yemen” Responding to allegations that Iran has sent hypersonic missiles to the Houthis or transferred this technology, Pezeshkian stated, “While it was mentioned that the sending of military personnel from Iran to Yemen would be delayed by a week, questions arise about how the missile was sent and how this went unnoticed. The allegations that Iran has sent hypersonic missiles to the Houthis are not true. Iran does not have such missiles. Moreover, the West knows that Iran cannot send missiles to Yemen. Additionally, we have missile power, but we are not sending missiles to Yemen. Yemen had learned and started producing missile technology before the war began.”

“We also attach importance to relations with Turkey” Iranian President Pezeshkian stated that Turkey is a friendly and brotherly country, saying, “We also attach importance to relations with Turkey. Our beliefs, culture, and values are intertwined. We have the desire and motivation to make joint investments. Turkey can reach Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan using the Iran route. I will definitely visit Turkey, and we will invite Turkish officials, investors, and academics to Iran.”

“We are not in a hostile attitude against the US” Responding to a question about his upcoming visit to New York to attend the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian said, “We are planning our trip to the US and we must prepare ourselves to participate in this meeting effectively. Our aim is to defend the rights of our people. Because we are peace-loving, not war-loving. We are not in a hostile attitude against the US. The US also needs to end its hostility towards us and demonstrate goodwill in practice. We have not set up bases around them and have not targeted them with sanctions. We are brothers with the American people.”