Iran's Pezeshkian: US remains colonialist despite diplomacy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that recent diplomatic efforts have not altered Tehran's long-standing position toward the United States, describing Washington as a colonialist power during his second news conference since taking office. "The US is colonialist, the US is criminal, and the Islamic Republic remains the Islamic Republic. There is no doubt about that," he said, according to the official IRNA news agency. Pezeshkian argued that the dialogue had compelled Washington to negotiate with Tehran rather than signaling any shift in Iran's fundamental outlook.

Defense of memorandum terms

The Iranian president rejected criticism of the recently signed memorandum between the two countries, insisting that the document contained no provisions requiring Tehran to relinquish its interests or positions. "You will not find a single clause in the memorandum in which we gave anything away," he said, adding that Iran "stands firmly" behind the agreement. Pezeshkian accused the United States of violating the memorandum by pursuing alternative shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz instead of adhering to procedures to be jointly agreed by Iran and Oman.

Domestic policy and negotiating team

Pezeshkian stated that disputes over the alleged violations should be addressed through mechanisms established under the memorandum, expressing hope that the process would continue "with dignity and honor" for the Islamic Republic. He defended Iran's negotiating team as "dedicated, expert and hardworking," saying criticism directed at them was unfair. Separately, the president said his administration was working with the heads of the three branches of government and the Supreme National Security Council to ease internet restrictions while taking security and infrastructure considerations into account.