Iranian President Pezeshkian says Iran entered talks with US with "determination and seriousness"

Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said that Iran has entered the ongoing negotiations with the United States in Islamabad with "determination and seriousness," while adding that the outcome of the talks will ultimately depend on Washington's approach.

According to Iranian state media Press TV, President Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts in West Asia.

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During the conversation, Pezeshkian described the killing of hundreds of Lebanese civilians by the "Zionist regime" as a clear example of a war crime, stating that it remains one of the primary sources of tension in the region.

He reiterated that Iran has approached the negotiations in Islamabad with seriousness and diligence, but stressed that the outcome of the dialogue depends on the position and approach of the United States.

President Macron, according to Press TV, welcomed the ceasefire and emphasised the need to immediately halt Israeli attacks on Lebanon. In response, Pezeshkian called for coordinated international pressure on both Israel and the United States to stop what he described as continued aggression in the region.

Press TV further reported that Macron stated that France has consistently and transparently condemned the conflict from the very beginning and expressed Paris' readiness to contribute toward efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.

Separately, Macron, in a post on X, said he had urged Pezeshkian to utilise the opportunity created by the Islamabad discussions to achieve a "sustainable reduction in tensions" and work towards a "precise and binding agreement" involving all stakeholders to ensure regional security.

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"I spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian. I urged him to seize the opportunity presented by the discussions launched in Islamabad to pave the way for a sustainable reduction in tensions, as well as for reaching a precise and binding agreement that, with the participation of all involved countries, would provide firm guarantees for regional security. I emphasized that Iran should restore freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible; France stands ready to contribute in this area. I also stressed the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon. France firmly supports the actions of the Lebanese authorities, who are the sole legitimate authority for exercising state sovereignty and making decisions about Lebanon's future," he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Iran-US talks have been extended for another day after around 15 hours of discussions, with both sides continuing negotiations despite persisting differences and technical teams exchanging draft texts, according to Iranian state media Press TV.

In a statement shared on X, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran said the dialogue would continue even as certain disagreements remain unresolved between the two sides.

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"Iran-U.S. talks mediated by Pakistan concluded after 14 hours. Technical teams from both sides are now exchanging expert texts. Negotiations will continue despite some remaining differences," the statement said.

The post further added, "At Pakistan's proposal and with the agreement of the negotiating teams of #Iran and the U.S., talks mediated by Pakistan will continue for another round after a pause on Sunday."

Iranian officials began negotiations at 13:00 local time on Saturday at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, first engaging with Pakistofficials before holding talks with the US delegation.

The marathon discussion continued for over 15 hours, concluding at approximately 3:40 am local time on Sunday, highlighting the intensity and complexity of the ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Meanwhile, the first phase of in-person talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Islamabad late on Saturday night after several hours of negotiations involving multiple stakeholders, marking a significant development in ongoing diplomatic discussions.

Following the talks, both delegations exchanged written texts to record and confirm areas of understanding reached during the day, according to Iranian state media Press TV. The exchange has been viewed as an effort to formalise the progress achieved during the face-to-face engagement between the two sides.

The development comes after an initial round of discussions concluded earlier, paving the way for continued negotiations between the delegations. The talks are being seen as a key diplomatic effort to reduce tensions and explore possibilities of a structured understanding between the United States and Iran.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the latest round of negotiations extended into late-night deliberations, indicating the urgency and sensitivity surrounding the dialogue process. The report stated that key representatives from both sides were present in Islamabad for the discussions, reflecting the high-level nature of the engagement.