Iran's Supreme Leader orders end to 'neither war nor peace' with US
President Masoud Pezeshkian said officials were instructed to seek a resolution through dialogue and negotiations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has directed officials to move past the current state of 'neither war nor peace' with the United States. According to Times Now, Pezeshkian stated that Iran prefers to resolve issues through dignified negotiations but will not surrender to bullying or force.
The announcement follows a closed-door meeting at the White House between US President Donald Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Trump told Reuters that while Qatar and Saudi Arabia desire a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the United States remains prepared to conduct strikes if necessary.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that negotiations have seen little progress and described some Iranian demands as unrealistic. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended a recent two-day proposal, questioning if it is unreasonable to demand the lifting of US sanctions and a naval blockade before talks begin.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the president holds the advantage in any chosen path and suggested Trump could opt for oversight of nuclear material instead of military action. Meanwhile, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin stated that US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei are scheduled to meet in Qatar next week.
