Iran's President backs U.S. memorandum as path beyond 'neither war nor peace'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States as the most viable path for the country to overcome a situation he termed “neither war nor peace.” His comments, released through the state-run IRNA news agency on Sunday, came as the 60-day deadline for the agreement lapsed without visible signs of progress.
“There is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation,” Mr. Pezeshkian said. He added that the supreme leader sets the policies and that his government would follow that path. The memorandum, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in June, had set a deadline for ending the war and reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme. Critical differences remain, particularly over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments.
Mr. Pezeshkian also linked the agreement to Iran’s economic prospects, arguing that the country cannot attract foreign investment during the ongoing impasse. The conflict, now in its sixth month, has compounded the effects of sanctions and a naval blockade on Iran’s economy.
In a more forceful tone, the newly appointed head of Iran’s top security body warned that Tehran would retaliate if neighbouring countries support U.S. efforts to impose additional sanctions. The warning reflects heightened regional tensions as the diplomatic window narrows.
Separately, Iran’s judiciary announced the execution of Majid Adineh, an individual arrested during the January protests. According to the Mizan news agency, Adineh was convicted by a Revolutionary Court of espionage and cooperation with hostile states, including Israel and the United States. Authorities said he was carrying weapons and had received training from groups outside the country.
In the Gaza Strip, a four-year-old child, Mohammed Taha, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the town of Zawaida, hospital officials said. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital reported that at least five others were wounded, including another child. The strike occurred shortly after residents received an evacuation warning from the Israeli military. The military has not yet commented on the incident.
Violence also continued in the occupied West Bank, where a Palestinian man was beaten by an Israeli settler outside his home. Separately, Israel’s military said it was pursuing a stabbing suspect in another attack. These incidents add to a series of confrontations that have accompanied the broader conflict.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that he had ordered the military to act “immediately and forcefully” to prevent launches of balloons, kites, or drones from Gaza into Israeli border communities. “We view every launch as an act of war in every respect,” he said. Before the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel, such devices were sent from Gaza into southern Israel, igniting fires and causing damage.
The developments come as efforts to reach a negotiated settlement remain stalled, with both sides showing little willingness to compromise on core issues. The lapsed deadline has raised concerns about a possible escalation, even as diplomatic channels appear to remain open.
