Tehran ready to reach ‘balanced' deal that guarantees lasting regional peace: Pezeshkian
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian shake hands as they meet in Moscow, Russia January 17, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that Tehran is ready to reach a “balanced and fair agreement” that would ensure lasting peace and security in the region, according to Tasnim News Agency.
Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the two leaders discussed regional developments after Saturday's Iran-US talks in Islamabad mediated by Pakistan amid a two-week Washington-Tehran ceasefire.
Iranian and US delegations concluded 21 hours of talks in Islamabad early Sunday, without reaching an agreement.
The Iranian president said the main obstacle to reaching an agreement is “double standards” by the US.
“Iran is fully prepared to reach a balanced and fair agreement that guarantees lasting peace and security in the region,” Pezeshkian said, adding that a deal would be achievable “if Washington adheres to international legal frameworks.”
Putin, for his part, criticized Western double standards, and stressed the need to respect Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also backed Iran’s legitimate positions, including demands for compensation over damages caused by recent military attacks and the need for long-term security guarantees to prevent their recurrence.
Earlier, according to a statement from the Kremlin, President Pezeshkian conveyed an assessment of US-Iran talks held in Islamabad a day earlier during a phone call with his Russian counterpart.
“The Iranian president assessed the US-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and expressed gratitude for Russia's principled position, including on international platforms, aimed at de-escalating the situation,” it added.
گفتوگوی تلفنی روسای ایران و روسیه؛
🔹پزشکیان:
بزرگترین مانع دستیابی به توافق عادلانه، تمامیتخواهی آمریکا است
خط قرمز ما منافع ملی و حقوق ملت ایران است
🔹پوتین:
تأکید روسیه بر حمایت از فرایندهای دیپلماتیک و توسعه همکاری ها در چارچوب معاهده جامع راهبردیhttps://t.co/0B1NBwJ1SZ pic.twitter.com/zvUn60NPWaRead More: Ghalibaf says US failed to earn Iran’s trust despite 'goodwill, forward-looking initiatives'
Pezeshkian also thanked Russia for the humanitarian aid it has provided, the statement said, noting that Putin, for his part, emphasised his readiness to continue to facilitate the search for a diplomatic settlement and to mediate “in the interests of establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East”.📞On April 12, President of Russia & Iran Vladimir #Putin & @drpezeshkian spoke over the phone.
The Leaders discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.
Masoud Pezeshkian shared his assessment of the Iran-US talks held on April 11 in Islamabad.https://t.co/5HY9Ol9LBK pic.twitter.com/KVULsgSZpG“To this end, Russia will continue active contacts with all partners in the region,” it said, adding that the phone call also included a discussion on bilateral cooperation, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties.
The phone call comes as high-stakes negotiations between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad on Saturday failed to produce an agreement.
The talks were part of broader efforts to end the US-Israeli offensive on Iran that killed more than 3,300 people since February 28, before a fragile two-week ceasefire was brokered earlier this week.
Since the start of the offensive, Iran has also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit for oil and gas shipments.