In a message posted on his X account on Saturday, President Pezeshkian highlighted the resolute stance of the high-level Iranian delegation currently engaged in talks in Pakistan.
“The high-ranking Iranian delegation present in Pakistan is wholeheartedly safeguarding Iran’s interests and will negotiate courageously in this regard,” the president stressed.
“In any case, our service to the people does not stop for a moment, and regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, the government stands firmly with the people,” Pezeshkian underlined.
Following the assassination of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and several military commanders on February 28, the US and Israel launched an extensive military offensive against Iran. In response, the Iranian Armed Forces carried out attacks on American and Israeli positions in the region and the occupied territories, showcasing their capability to retaliate effectively. Contrary to the aggressors' expectations of a quick victory, Iran's powerful counterattacks for 40 days inflicted significant damage on US and Israeli military assets.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Pakistani mediation led to a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 8 that allows for negotiations in Islamabad. Iran has laid out a ten-point plan for the talks, which includes demands for the withdrawal of US forces, the lifting of sanctions, and control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian government maintains a stance of distrust towards the US, asserting that the negotiations are not meant to resolve the conflict but rather to shift the battleground into the diplomatic arena.