Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that the time had come to end the months-long Middle East war with the United States, arguing that Tehran was now in a stronger position than Washington.
Negotiations between the two long-time adversaries remain suspended, with the conflict, which began in February following action by the US and Israel, continuing without a clear resolution. Iran has partially closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while the US has maintained a naval counter-blockade.
“It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting with doctors.
“The whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasises that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world.”
The Iranian president also defended a memorandum of understanding reached with Washington in June to end the conflict, insisting that the agreement did not represent a concession by Tehran.
“They cannot find even a single clause in this agreement that indicates capitulation. All the commitments concern the other side,” he said.
His comments came weeks after Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had approved the agreement despite holding “different views” on it.
The deal has faced criticism from hardline lawmakers in Iran, who accuse the government of making concessions to Washington, particularly regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
US media reports have said the American navy has been organising and protecting secret tanker convoys through the southern part of the strait, allowing between five and 10 million barrels of oil to be exported daily.
While Iran has maintained that it holds the stronger position, Washington has announced plans to intensify economic pressure on Tehran through additional sanctions. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the proposed measures as “economic terrorism” and “crimes against humanity”.
“The perpetrators and instigators of these sanctions are deserving of trial and punishment for committing such heinous crimes,” the ministry said in a statement carried by state media.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday that Washington intended to “collapse” the Iranian regime through a new sanctions campaign, nearly six months after the war began.
The comments signal a shift by the Trump administration towards greater economic pressure rather than renewed large-scale military action as the conflict continues.
China also criticised Washington’s strategy, saying increased sanctions and pressure would not help bring an end to the Middle East conflict.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, “sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue”.
“China calls on all relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve the problem through political and diplomatic means,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the White House on September 24, where Iran is likely to be among the key issues discussed with US President Donald Trump.
Bessent said the planned economic measures could reduce the likelihood of Washington returning to extensive military operations against Iran. He is expected to provide further details about the sanctions during a press conference on Monday.
Other Iranian officials also criticised the US plan. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the proposed “Economic D-Day” as an attempt to distract attention from Washington’s own financial problems.
“The so-called ‘Economic D-Day’ is a diversion from America’s own crisis: unprecedented debt and surging interest costs,” Araghchi said in a post on X.
