Pezeshkian made the remarks in an interview with India Today on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, stressing Iran’s historic and cultural ties with India and describing Chabahar as a strategic transit crossroads linking the south to the north and east to the west.
He said Tehran is ready for greater Indian investment and joint ventures in Chabahar and other areas.
Regarding regional security, the Iranian president said Iran has no problem with its neighbors, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and China, but objects to US military bases in the region being used to attack Iran.
He said Iran did not start the war and has only defended itself against US and Israeli aggression, urging regional states to cooperate to establish peace and security rather than allow foreign powers to create divisions.
Pezeshkian said BRICS can help counter US unilateralism and sanctions by enabling members to expand independent trade, investment and economic cooperation. He also said the New Development Bank can support joint investments and reduce countries’ dependence on the US economy and dollar, arguing that the grouping should help create a more independent and multipolar system.
On the nuclear issue, Pezeshkian rejected allegations that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, emphasizing that Tehran is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and prepared to negotiate within the framework of international law.
He condemned attacks on Iran’s martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, commanders, scientists and infrastructure, as well as restrictions on food, medicine and trade, saying Iran does not seek war but will not surrender under sanctions or military pressure.
Asked about the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over shipping and energy supplies, Pezeshkian said Iran had already held talks with Oman and reached an understanding on a specific navigation framework.
He said the foreign ministers of the regional Arab countries would meet in Oman on Monday to agree on the Hormuz route and communicate the arrangement to the international maritime body.
“In that framework, the route will be open under international law, provided that the US stops its aggression and unjust attacks,” he said, adding that Iran is ready to work with neighboring countries to preserve regional security and expand economic ties.