TEHRAN, Iran, May 10 (ANI) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone regarding the nation’s diplomatic stance, asserting that engagement with international powers is a strategic pursuit of justice rather than a sign of weakness.
In a post on X, the Iranian president clarified the administration’s position on potential diplomatic breakthroughs, stating, “We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat.”
Connecting the principles of sovereignty to the current geopolitical climate, Pezeshkian emphasized that the Islamic Republic remains committed to a position of strength. He noted that the primary objective behind any diplomatic engagement is to ensure the security and prosperity of the Iranian people.
“Rather, the goal is to uphold the rights of the Iranian nation and to defend national interests with resolute strength,” Pezeshkian added, reinforcing the message that Tehran’s participation in talks is contingent on preserving its fundamental rights.
The rhetoric coincided with a formal diplomatic move, as Iran submitted its response to the American proposal for de-escalating regional hostilities through Islamabad, Iranian state media announced Sunday.
The move follows repeated affirmations from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson that Tehran’s “views and considerations” regarding Washington-led initiatives would be dispatched once a thorough review and final conclusions had been reached.
Detailing the development, the state-run IRNA news agency stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today, through Pakistani mediators, its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war.” The outlet further noted that “according to the proposed plan, at this stage, negotiations will focus on ending the war in the region.”
Authorities in Washington have been awaiting Tehran’s feedback regarding the latest diplomatic framework. The proposed agreement aims to end ongoing hostilities, restore commercial access to strategic shipping lanes, and reverse Iran’s nuclear program.
The urgency surrounding the talks intensified following reports of a “14-point plan” formulated by Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. The broadcaster reported that the Iranian strategy is divided into “three main stages,” including a “30-day phase” intended to transition a temporary ceasefire into a complete end to the war. The framework was reportedly introduced as a counterproposal to the “nine-point peace plan” previously proposed by the United States.
According to the reports, the Iranian draft includes demands for Washington to lift sanctions on Iran and end the blockade on Iranian ports. The proposal also reportedly calls for the withdrawal of US forces from the region and a cessation of hostilities, including an end to Israel’s war in Lebanon.
The diplomatic outreach comes amid worsening security tensions, as Tehran recently warned Washington that it would abandon its policy of strategic restraint regarding retaliatory strikes. The warning coincided with reports from Gulf nations of renewed maritime and territorial hostilities, including an attack on a freighter bound for Qatar.
In a sign of heightened military preparedness, Iran’s military chief, Ali Abdollahi, held talks with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. According to Iranian state television, Abdollahi received “new directives and guidance for the continuation of operations to confront the enemy.”
Maritime tensions have also escalated, with South Korea reporting that “unidentified aircraft” struck a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week. Further south, Qatar’s Defense Ministry confirmed that a freighter traveling from Abu Dhabi was targeted by a drone Sunday northeast of the port of Mesaieed.
Providing details on the latest maritime incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center stated that the bulk carrier reported being struck by an “unknown projectile.” The UKMTO added, “There was a small fire that has been extinguished; there are no casualties. There is no reported environmental impact.”
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran’s Fars news agency asserted that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under a US flag and belonged to the United States.”
Escalating the rhetoric further, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, issued a direct warning to the United States on social media, declaring, “Our restraint is over as of today.” He added that “any attack on our vessels will trigger a strong and decisive Iranian response against American ships and bases.”
The warnings echo recent threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to target American interests in the Middle East if Iranian tankers are attacked. The comments follow an incident Friday in which a “US fighter jet” reportedly “fired on and disabled two Iran-flagged vessels” in the Gulf of Oman.
The IRGC maintained its hardline position after the engagement, stating, “Any attack on Iranian tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy attack on one of the American centers in the region and enemy ships.” (ANI)
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