Pezeshkian: We are ready for any dialogue but will not submit to force

Tehran - BORNA - On Tuesday evening, May 5, Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation with Ali Falih al-Zaidi, the Prime Minister-designate of Iraq. While congratulating him on his appointment and wishing him success in his new responsibility, Pezeshkian stated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the government and nation of Iraq more than a neighbor; we see you as our brother. We support any action aimed at developing coordination, strengthening cooperation, and expanding comprehensive relations between the two countries."

The President also expressed hope that the new Iraqi government, by utilizing skill, knowledge, and prudence, would overcome economic challenges and pave the way for further prosperity, stability, and growth in the country.

Appreciating the new Iraqi Prime Minister's commitment to resolving regional problems, Pezeshkian stated: "One of the fundamental issues in the region today is the effort to end the warmongering and pressures of the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran and other countries in the region."

Referring to the paradoxical approach of the Americans, the President said: "Our problem is that the U.S., on one hand, pursues a policy of maximum pressure against our country, and on the other hand, expects the Islamic Republic of Iran to appear at the negotiating table and ultimately surrender to their unilateral demands; such an equation is impossible."

Pezeshkian added: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been attacked twice during negotiations, and this time as well, while the path of dialogue is ongoing, we are again witnessing military deployments and threats."

The President continued: "They claim Iran must not achieve nuclear weapons, while they martyred the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution [referring to the previous leader/context of the news]; a personality who had issued an explicit, religious, and definitive fatwa on the prohibition of building nuclear weapons. In all negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran was fully prepared to provide whatever global norms deem necessary to ensure the peaceful nature of our nuclear activities, within the framework of international regulations and global monitoring."

Emphasizing that the country's scientific growth in medical, agricultural, industrial, and nuclear technology sectors is the result of years of effort by the Iranian nation, Pezeshkian clarified: "We must not deprive ourselves of these capacities, and our utilization of nuclear knowledge is defined within this framework. Unfortunately, the American side speaks as if the Islamic Republic of Iran should not have a nuclear industry at all and then imposes double pressures through excessive demands."

The President stated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for any dialogue within the framework of international laws, but based on its faith and beliefs, it will never submit to force. If they speak to us with logic, dialogue is possible, but the language of threats and bullying will lead nowhere."

Emphasizing that Iran does not consider war and insecurity as desirable options, Pezeshkian said: "Based on our principled approach, we remain fully prepared to reach an understanding with the Islamic countries of the region, establish joint regulations, and resolve all differences—whether in the Persian Gulf or other regional arenas—through dialogue to eliminate war and unrest."

He added: "We do not want any dispute with our brothers in the region, but the reality is that from American bases located on the soil of some regional countries, and using their space and facilities, our country's schools, hospitals, and infrastructure were bombed."

Inviting the new Iraqi Prime Minister to visit Tehran, Pezeshkian said: "I invite your Excellency to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran for your first official trip so that we may discuss and decide on agreements and the development of bilateral cooperation."

In another part of his remarks, addressing the Iraqi Prime Minister, the President stated: "In your contacts with American officials, advise them to withdraw military threats from our region; because the followers of the school of Tashayyu (Shiism) cannot be forced to surrender with the language of force."

Pezeshkian added: "We seek unity and cohesion among the Islamic Ummah based on religious teachings and believe that if a correct, fair, and just path is followed, there will be no reason for disputes to arise."

Welcoming any effort to reduce tensions, he stated: "Instead of totalitarianism, the rights of the Iranian nation must be respected. Inhumane behaviors contrary to human rights principles have brought chaos to our region, and as long as trust is not built toward the Supreme Leadership, the sovereignty, and our nation, dialogue will not take shape under the shadow of threats."

The Iraqi Prime Minister-designate, Ali Falih al-Zaidi, expressed satisfaction with the conversation and stated: "I will exert all my efforts to elevate the relations between the two countries—which are defined as two bodies with one shared soul—to an excellent level in economic, political, security, and regional convergence fields."

Referring to the deep historical background of Tehran-Baghdad relations and the geographical and ideological ties between the two nations, al-Zaidi stated: "We have a deep faith and belief that Iran is Iraq's strategic depth, just as Iraq is Iran's strategic depth."

Announcing Baghdad's readiness to host negotiations between Iran and the U.S. and play a role in resolving issues and ending the war, al-Zaidi added: "We consider this action a humanitarian, religious, and political duty for ourselves."

The Iraqi Prime Minister continued: "We believe that Iran's power today does not belong solely to Iran but is a support for all Muslims and Shiites, and we will never accept that this power be taken from Iran. It was this very power that helped us in the fight against ISIS. Iraq needs Iran's support; because Iran's strength is Iraq's strength, and Iran's weakness is Iraq's weakness."

Emphasizing that to reach lasting peace we must focus on points of agreement and shared views, al-Zaidi clarified: "Disputes have always existed throughout human history and are not a new subject. The dispute between Iran and the U.S. can only be resolved through dialogue; because neither can they overthrow the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, nor will the path of confrontation be a sustainable solution."

The Iraqi Prime Minister expressed hope that with the collective effort and participation of regional countries, we will witness the end of the war and the resolution of existing issues as soon as possible.

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