Iranian President Pezeshkian Speaks on US Ties, Israel War and West Asia Turmoil In an exclusive interaction, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian articulated Tehran's foreign policy stance and addressed escalating regional tensions across West Asia.

Speaking on Iran's position amid ongoing conflict, President Pezeshkian stressed his country's resilience, firmly ruling out surrender or capitulation to the United States and Israel. He placed responsibility for the conflict on Washington, characterising the US as the provocateur while maintaining that Iranian actions constitute retaliation.

The Iranian President also addressed critical issues surrounding maritime security at Bab el-Mandab, Houthi operations, strained relations with the United Arab Emirates, and the presence of American military bases in the region. Furthermore, the discussion explored potential diplomatic pathways, including the possibility of direct, precondition-free dialogue with Donald Trump, and highlighted historical bilateral ties between India and Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reportedly following a prior bilateral engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a subsequent interview with India Today, Pezeshkian characterized the bilateral relationship as steadily improving and described the nations' civilizational ties as a foundation for countering what he termed "rising global totalitarianism.

" The discussion also addressed various unverified or broadly defined topics, including regional security dynamics in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear enrichment stance, and domestic economic conditions.

Global oil prices surpassed $105 per barrel amid reports of intensified conflict with Iran, coinciding with the implementation of new U.S. sanctions under "Operation Economic Outcast." Simultaneously, trade tensions escalated as the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods following the collapse of negotiations, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that while Saudi Arabia has not signed the Additional Protocol, it is prepared to grant the agency oversight powers over enrichment, conversion, and reprocessing that are functionally similar to those established by the protocol.

The underlying US-Saudi 123 agreement, signed in July, potentially permits domestic uranium enrichment after a two-year study, marking a departure from the UAE’s previous enrichment-free framework. Currently in its 90-day congressional review period, the deal faces objections from Democrats and nonproliferation advocates, with two accompanying side letters remaining classified.