Iranian President Pezeshkian Calls for Ending US War From Position of Strength as Oman Mediates

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told a meeting with doctors on Friday that Tehran should end the war with the United States "now as we are in a position of power and dignity," citing damage to Iranian schools, hospitals and infrastructure as evidence of what he called a global recognition of Iran's victory 123. He defended the June memorandum of understanding against hardline parliamentary critics, saying "they cannot find even a single clause in this agreement that indicates capitulation" 12. Oman's and Iran's foreign ministers held a call the same day on resuming dialogue and on navigation conditions in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran continues to keep partially shut against a US naval counter-blockade 1. Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Ali Abdollahi, separately warned of "crushing, punishing and devastating responses" to any new threats, as Washington moves toward Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's Monday announcement of expanded sanctions 12.