Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he is willing to end the war against the United States if "essential conditions" are met.
On the 31st (local time), the presidential office of Pezeshkian said in a call with Antonio Costa, president of the European Council (EU), "We are willing to end this conflict if essential conditions are met, especially if preventing a recurrence of aggression is guaranteed."
The essential conditions Pezeshkian mentioned were a reiteration of the "five conditions" proposed in exchanges with the United States over an end-of-war plan: ▲ complete halt to aggression and assassinations by the enemy ▲ establishment of a robust mechanism to prevent a recurrence of war against Iran ▲ clear compensation for war damage ▲ complete end to war on all fronts across the Middle East ▲ guarantee of Iran's lawful exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
As Iran continues back-channel contacts with the United States through a mediator, former U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at ending the war, and Pezeshkian is seen as responding to that.
However, it is uncertain whether Pezeshkian's intent will be fully reflected. Ahmad Vahidi, commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is currently leading military operations, is a hard-line figure opposed to Pezeshkian and has signaled willingness for full-scale war by launching missile and drone attacks on neighboring countries.