TEHRAN: Washington should realize that Tehran will not respond to pressure, President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement on Saturday, in which he also highlighted Iran’s friendship with China and Russia.
Pezeshkian, a relative moderate, reiterated that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons, saying that Iran would expand relations with neighbors and engage with Europe.
“Washington needs to recognize the reality and understand, once and for all, that Iran does not and will not respond to pressure and that Iran’s defense doctrine does not include nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said in the statement.
Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, has promised to promote a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over now-stalled talks with major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear agreement and improve prospects for political pluralism and social liberalization.
“China and Russia have consistently stood by us during challenging times and we deeply value this friendship. Moscow is a valued strategic ally and neighbor to Tehran and my government will remain committed to extending and enhancing our cooperation,” he said, saying that Iran would actively support initiatives aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
“The Iranian people have entrusted me with a strong mandate to energetically pursue constructive engagement on the global stage while asserting on our rights, our dignity and our deserved role in the region and the world. I extend an open invitation to those willing to join us in this historic endeavour,” Pezeshkian further said.
