Pezeshkian: Iran seeks diplomacy, not conflict against US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in a phone call that Iran has never sought war and favours diplomacy amid rising tensions with the United States.

During the call, both leaders discussed the importance of prioritising diplomacy to address regional challenges, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Pezeshkian emphasised that military conflict would serve neither Iran’s interests nor those of the United States or the wider West Asia region.

He noted that Tehran has consistently placed diplomacy above confrontation in resolving disputes, underscoring Iran’s call for the establishment of diplomatic mechanisms based on mutual respect, equality, and the absence of threats. Such an approach, he said, would allow dialogue to take place in a “calm and constructive” environment.

El-Sisi, for his part, warned that any further escalation or outbreak of conflict would have serious negative repercussions not only for Iran but for the entire region. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to de-escalation efforts and said Cairo is prepared to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving disputes and safeguarding regional stability.

The call took place against the backdrop of rising Iran–US tensions, as Washington continues to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump recently announced that a “massive armada,” led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and reportedly larger than the fleet deployed to Venezuela, is heading toward Iran. The move highlights the growing risk of confrontation, even as US officials publicly maintain that diplomacy remains an option.

On January 31, Iran’s Army Chief Amir Hatami warned that any mistake by the United States would endanger not only its own security but also that of Israel and the broader West Asia region. 

Later the same day, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on social media platform X that the process of establishing a framework for negotiations with the United States is “progressing,” without providing further details.

By Jeyhun Aghazada