TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the escalation following the military invasion of Iran by the United States and Israel and explored potential paths to achieving a final end to the war.
In a telephone conversation late Thursday, Mr. Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for the efforts of several friendly neighboring countries to prevent military attacks against Iran. He particularly recognized Turkey’s stand condemning the “unjust aggression” by the United States and Israel, and the solidarity the Turkish people have shown towards the Iranian people.
Pezeshkian said that despite the “diplomatic betrayal” and attacks on Iran by the United States during the previous two rounds of negotiations, the Islamic Republic responsibly accepted requests from neighboring and friendly countries to cease hostilities and establish a ceasefire.
He insisted that Israel’s actions were aimed at stirring up further instability in the region, and stressed the need to end the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Pezeshkian also called on Muslim countries to unite against the Israeli regime’s “warmongering actions” that “threaten regional stability and peace.”
Israel’s attack on Lebanon comes after Iran recently proposed a 10-month temporary ceasefire plan to the United States.
In addition to halting attacks on Iran and Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, the plan, which has been accepted by the United States, also calls for Iran to halt attacks on all resistance groups in the region, including Lebanon.
He further emphasized the importance of pressuring the international community and Islamic countries to stop the United States and Israel from committing aggression and crimes against regional countries, especially Lebanon.
Mr. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran’s responsible approach to accepting a ceasefire is aimed at maintaining regional stability and preventing escalation of the conflict. However, he noted that the continuation of the ceasefire depends on the other side’s actual fulfillment of its obligations.
President Erdoğan expressed his wishes for the success, dignity and honor of the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian government and people. President Erdoğan reaffirmed the solidarity between Türkiye and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
President Erdoğan expressed satisfaction with the cessation of hostilities and stressed Turkey’s readiness to cooperate with friendly countries in the region to continue efforts towards the final end of the war and the establishment of sustainable security.