Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed on Monday (September 23) that Iran is willing to ease tensions as long as Israel shows a similar commitment. On the same day, Israel carried out its most extensive airstrikes against Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran. Lebanese authorities reported nearly 500 deaths.
Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to reporters in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, saying, “As long as Israel is willing to lay down arms, we will do the same.”
“We do not wish to disrupt regional stability,” he added.
This visit to the United States marks Pezeshkian’s first participation in the annual “Summit of the Future” at the United Nations, where he is expected to speak on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the same conference two days later, though his attendance is still unconfirmed.
Iran supports Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which the U.S. considers terrorist organizations. Last year on October 7th, armed Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, leading to a war in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza under Hamas control. The next day, Hezbollah began firing rockets from Lebanon into Israel to support their ally Hamas. Over the past week, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated dramatically.
Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s desire for peace but asserted that they would stand up for allies facing injustices, allowing the allies to make their own decisions regarding military actions.
Following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have been conducting attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“They will not take orders from anyone,” he stated. “Nor are the Yemeni people waiting for us to tell them what to do or not to do.”
Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran was not informed in advance about the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th, a fact he claimed both the U.S. and Israel were aware of.
“We seek a peaceful life and do not desire war,” he stated. “It is Israel seeking to provoke a comprehensive conflict.”
Earlier on Monday, Israel conducted its widest airstrikes on hundreds of weapon caches belonging to Hezbollah, resulting in nearly 500 reported deaths in Lebanon. With almost daily clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border have been displaced. Israel has shown a preference for a diplomatic solution to have Hezbollah withdraw from the border. However, Hezbollah insists on achieving a ceasefire in Gaza first.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in a video released from his office on Monday, stated, “The operation will continue until we achieve our goals and allow residents in the north to return home safely.”
According to Reuters, Pezeshkian is considered a relatively moderate Iranian politician, who was elected in July with a promise to pursue a pragmatic foreign policy. He criticized the international community for remaining silent in the face of what he called Israeli “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza.
Pezeshkian called for dialogue to resolve conflicts in the Middle East. When asked if Iran would intervene in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, he said, “We will defend anyone who defends their rights and their group.” However, he did not provide further details.
Iran’s regional policies are formulated by the elite Revolutionary Guard, which reports directly to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Khamenei holds the highest authority in the country.
Last week, massive explosions occurred in Lebanon from pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands injured, including the Iranian ambassador to Beirut. Iran blamed Israel for the incident and threatened retaliation.
Since taking office last month, Pezeshkian has repeatedly reaffirmed Iran’s anti-Israel stance and its support for radical armed groups in the region.
When asked if Iran would retaliate for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran at the end of July, Pezeshkian said, “We will respond at the appropriate time and place, in an appropriate manner.”
Both Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh. The Revolutionary Guard and Khamenei vowed to retaliate severely. Haniyeh was visiting Tehran at the time of the assassination. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied any involvement in the incident.
Three senior Iranian officials told Reuters in August that Tehran had been engaged in intensive dialogues with Western countries and the U.S. to adjust retaliation measures against Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh.
According to Bloomberg, Pezeshkian is considered one of the few reformists in Iranian politics. He expressed willingness to restart negotiations on the nuclear agreement with the West and push for the U.S. to lift economic sanctions. He stated that Iran is willing to return to the original agreement and Tehran is progressing toward the goals set in that agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated in a video released on Telegram on Monday that if “other parties are willing,” Iran is willing to initiate nuclear negotiations during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Pezeshkian took office in July and denied Iran’s provision of weapons to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, contrary to U.S. claims.
“We do not support Russia’s aggression in Ukraine,” he stated. “We have neither provided nor will provide them with any ballistic missiles.”