Tehran, August 2026 : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States is in the interests of Iran, West Asia and the wider international community.
Speaking at a ceremony in Tehran, Pezeshkian stressed that implementing the agreement could help prevent further instability and insecurity in the region. According to a statement published by his office, he said the MoU would limit the ability of the United States and Israel to create what he described as chaos, aggression and insecurity in West Asia.
Pezeshkian said the implementation of the agreement could also provide regional countries with an opportunity to pursue stability, economic development and greater security.
The Iranian President called for greater unity and solidarity among Muslim countries, saying stronger cooperation was necessary to counter what he described as hostile efforts against the region. He urged Muslim states to remain united in confronting challenges and preventing external developments from destabilising the region.
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s position that it does not seek war but would defend itself against any attack. He said Iran had never been the side to initiate a conflict and would continue to resist any aggression.
“We do not welcome war, but will stand strongly against any aggressor,” he said, adding that no external power could force a nation determined to defend itself to surrender.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi raised concerns over developments in global energy markets. In a social media post on Saturday, he alleged that major efforts were being made to manipulate energy markets for personal financial gains and to prolong the conflict between Iran and the United States.
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that Iranian security forces had dealt a “decisive” blow to what it described as a terrorist team linked to the United States and Israel in southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province.
According to the IRGC, one member of the alleged group was killed and six others were arrested. The claims could not be independently verified.
The latest developments come amid a prolonged escalation between Iran, Israel and the United States. On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran subsequently responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel as well as US bases and assets across the region.
The conflict also led to heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.
On June 18, Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict across the region. Under the arrangement, the two sides were expected to conduct negotiations over a 60-day period to work towards a final agreement.
That deadline expired on August 17, but the future of the negotiations remains uncertain following renewed tensions between Tehran and Washington last month.
Pezeshkian’s latest comments indicate that Tehran continues to regard the peace MoU as a potential framework for reducing regional tensions. However, continued military, diplomatic and economic pressure between the two countries could complicate efforts to translate the memorandum into a comprehensive and lasting agreement.
Iran’s leadership has maintained that any durable settlement must respect the country’s sovereignty and security, while Washington and its allies have continued to press Tehran over regional security and other strategic concerns.
The future of the peace process is therefore likely to depend on whether both sides can return to sustained negotiations and bridge their differences over the terms of a final agreement.
