Iran's President Defends U.S. Memorandum, Rejects Reports of His Departure

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States should not be viewed as a failure, pledging to defend the agreement while addressing domestic challenges, regional relations, and negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking in a televised interview marking the beginning of the third year of his government, Pezeshkian addressed several key domestic and international issues, including reports of his resignation and details of the agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

Pezeshkian firmly rejected reports circulating in political circles that he intended to resign, saying he had never formally submitted his resignation and did not intend to step down.

“I have never formally resigned, nor do I want to quit. I will remain and confront all the rumors and propaganda being circulated, and I will explain the facts to the people,” he said.

Regarding the signing of the agreement with US President Donald Trump, Pezeshkian said the document was signed at the presidential level by himself and Trump to give it greater weight and credibility.

He said Iran had not given anything to the United States but had achieved major gains, including the lifting of sanctions and the return of Iranian funds. In return, he said, Tehran had allowed ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with Iranian laws.

Pezeshkian also said Iran would “strongly defend” the memorandum of understanding with the United States.

Respect for the policies of Iran’s Supreme Leader and coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and armed forces were also among the issues addressed by Pezeshkian.

“It is true that we have faced some challenges inside our country. Therefore, we must deal with the domestic situation cautiously, because the US and Israel want to exploit those challenges and divisions as an opportunity,” he said.

Pezeshkian also said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had been appointed as head of the negotiating team with the approval of all sides.

“No government has been as committed to the policies of the Supreme Leader as my government,” he said.

Pezeshkian also discussed the delivery of services to sections of society that official institutions have been unable to reach.

He said mosques, schools, and health centers would become operational hubs for providing services and addressing unemployment, poverty, and health problems within neighborhoods, without discrimination among people.

According to Pezeshkian, Iran’s relations with its neighbors have been improving.

However, he criticized the United States for using the territory of some countries to launch attacks against Iran.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran was not seeking expansionism and said the country was only defending its sovereignty.