Iran president urges Trump to avoid turmoil, backs dialogue

TEHRAN, Aug 29:  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to avoid creating turmoil, saying Tehran could resolve its disputes with Washington through dialogue and implementation of a memorandum of understanding.

“If we proceed through dialogue and based on the memorandum of understanding, we will resolve the problems and secure our rights,” Pezeshkian said at a ceremony in Tehran, according to Mehr News Agency.

Pezeshkian said Iran did not seek war but would respond firmly to any aggression. He also accused Israel of seeking to create divisions among Muslim countries and called for greater unity among Islamic nations.

The comments come amid tensions following the US-Israeli war against Iran, which began on February 28 with strikes on Iranian military, nuclear and infrastructure sites. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US military facilities in the region.

Iran and the United States reached a 14-point memorandum of understanding in June, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at ending hostilities and opening 60 days for negotiations. The agreement also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, US sanctions and Iran’s frozen assets.

Tehran has said further progress depends on Washington fulfilling its commitments under the memorandum, including steps related to the Strait of Hormuz. Pezeshkian said Iran would continue pursuing dialogue while remaining prepared to defend itself against any attack.