Paris ties with Tehran depend on fate of nationals held in Iran - Macron

"We are ready to engage with JCPOA participants. If JCPOA commitments are implemented fully and in good faith, dialogue on other issues can follow," Pezeshkian said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

It was his most high-profile moment on the world stage since being elected following the death of his hardline predecessor Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in August.

The relative moderate ran on a platform of alleviating the country's ever-worsening economy and standards of living by engaging with foreign powers in order to ease sanctions.

But decision-making in the theocratic country ultimately rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has championed confronting the United States and Israel in the region, earning sanctions from the West.

"I aim to lay a strong foundation for my country's entry into a new era, positioning it to play an effective and constructive role in the evolving global order," Pezeshkian added.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told Iran International: "Iran has to give the IAEA some answers on a number of things that have not been clarified for some time."

Regional Tensions

The remarks come on the heels of a sharp escalation of cross-border combat between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon as the Jewish state launched air strikes targeting the group which killed nearly 600 people on Monday.

"It is imperative that the international community should immediately stop the violence and bring about a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and bring an end to the desperate barbarism of Israel in Lebanon before it engulfs the region and the world," Pezeshkian said of the recent violence.

"No amount of barbaric violence can restore (Israel's) myth of invincibility," he added.

The president did not discuss Iran's role in supporting Hezbollah or other groups it leads as part of the so-called Axis of Resistance comprising Islamist militias armed by Tehran which have been fighting Israel in a nearly-year-old conflict.

Around 300 Palestinian and Yemeni fighters are holding military training exercises inside Iran, a source familiar with the matter told Iran International, in what appears to be part of a broader effort by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to prepare its regional allies for potential future operations.

In New York, Iran's delegation is allowed to travel only within the area between their accommodation at the Millennium Hilton Hotel and the UN headquarters and the route to and from the airport, a security source told Iran International on Tuesday.

The United States, Israel's main backer, considered Iran a state sponsor of terrorism and efforts to engage anew with Tehran foundered during the administration of Joe Biden.

However, Pezeshkian defended the Islamic Republic's regional policies, declaring that it has been supporting "popular liberation movements." He also reiterated Tehran's support for anti-Israeli protests around the globe. "We have been siding with the people across the world, who have flooded the streets in outrage against Israeli atroci es; we condemn Israeli crimes against humanity."

Iran and Russia

Since Pezeshkian's election, the issue of Tehran's continued support for Russia's war on Ukraine has gained a new significance. The United States and European powers hit the country with fresh sanctions this month over allegations Iran was shipping missiles to Russia to aid its attacks on Ukraine, a charge Tehran denies. But Iran has also denied having supplied thousands of kamikaze drones to Russia since mid-2022, which is well-documented and not in dispute.

The Iranian drones are often used during massive Russia missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure to overwhelm Kyiv's Western provided air defenses, therefore angering European powers, who have been imposing sanctions on Iranian individuals and companies.

Despite these, Pezeshkian said Iran hoped to see a negotiated solution to that conflict.

"We seek lasting peace and security for the people of Ukraine and Russia. The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes war and emphasizes the urgent need to end military hostilities in Ukraine."

The G7, an organization of seven of the world's largest economies, warned Iran of potential further sanctions if the country continues with its destabilizing actions in the Middle East.

In a statement Tuesday, the foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan (G7) condemned Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles and drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, calling for an immediate halt to the shipments.

The drills are being held at a base 110 km (68 miles) south of the capital Tehran and come at a time of heightened tension across the region, the source added, particularly in Lebanon where Israeli air strikes have killed nearly 600 people in a single day.

Due to the sensitivity of the matter, the source spoke to Iran International on condition of anonymity.

The Shaheed Shabani facility has regularly hosted training sessions for Iran’s allied armed groups in the region, including Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Over the past decade, this base has become a hub for training aimed at strengthening what Iran calls the Axis of Resistance, a transnational network of armed Islamists dedicated to confronting Israel and the United States.

This latest drill appears to be part of a broader effort by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to prepare its regional allies for potential future operations.

It is focused on “ground assaults, building seizures, and hostage-taking tactics ... (and) guerrilla warfare techniques, bomb-making, and advanced weapons use,” according to the source speaking to Iran International on condition of anonymity.

Multiple such exercises have been held over the past year inside Iran, the source said. Those participating in the trainings arrive from Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria.

Some stay longer than others, getting additional, specialized instructions on the assembly and operation of advanced weaponry, the source added

Earlier this year, the Daily Telegraph reported that Yemen's Houthis were trained at Khamenei Academy of Naval Sciences and Technology in Ziba Kenar on the Caspian coastline north of Iran.

Another site was on Farur Island, a small, uninhabited island in the Persian Gulf controlled by the IRGC's naval forces, the Telegraph report alleged.

Iran’s continued investment in training its regional allies has raised alarm among neighboring countries and Western powers who view these forces as central to Tehran’s strategy of extending its influence in the Middle East.

The Islamic Republic says its actions are part of a defensive strategy to counter threats from Israel and the West.

"Now that Pezeshkian has come into office with the slogan of de-escalation, some are trying to drag him into sanctions and tensions," Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a former head of the National Security Committee of the parliament and a foreign policy analyst, told private Iranian news agency Fararu.

"His duty is to the nation, or at least to the part of the nation that trusted and voted for him expecting change, especially in foreign policy."

Some factions oppose Pezeshkian's push to reduce tensions with Western countries to ease sanctions, while supporters hold on to the hope that he will follow through on his promises.

Falahatpisheh emphasized that past diplomatic approaches have failed to yield results and Pezeshkian must pursue a path more committed to genuine change.

No more talk

"The era of speech-centered diplomacy has passed ... Most past presidents have taken trips that haven’t been fruitful," Falahatpisheh said.

"If this trip is no different, it will turn into a costly and ineffective one for the country. Those who have imposed costly foreign policies must be held accountable. The Iranian people have the right to question those who imposed high-tension policies."

Sanctions imposed on Iran, primarily by the United States and its allies, have harmed the country’s economy and the everyday lives of its citizens. These sanctions, especially those targeting Iran's banking, oil, and trade sectors, have led to inflation, reduced purchasing power, and a scarcity of essential goods.

The national currency, the rial, has devalued, making imports more expensive and driving up the prices of food, medicine, and other essentials. While the government attempts to provide basic commodities at subsidized rates, many still struggle with rising costs.

Medicines, particularly those for chronic and rare diseases, are often difficult to obtain despite exemptions on humanitarian goods due to logistical barriers and banking restrictions.

Calls for de-escalation and accountability

Falahatpisheh pointed out that many of those who initially opposed the FATF and JCPOA six years ago now support reviving these agreements, recognizing the need to address the costs of sanctions and tensions.

"If Pezeshkian wants to act differently from the past, he should initiate a serious de-escalation strategy, and this must begin and take shape in New York. We expect him to pursue maximum de-escalation with the world."

Sanctions have also affected employment, with reduced foreign investments and trade opportunities leading to job losses in various sectors. Youth unemployment remains high, while businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, face difficulties in securing the materials and funds needed to operate.

These economic pressures have led to widespread discontent, with many Iranians calling for solutions to ease their daily hardships.

In recent years, the strain has pushed people to the streets in protest, demanding economic relief and political reforms.

"The experience of the past 11 months has shown that since Iran and the US delayed making their indirect negotiations in Oman serious, both sides have entered a highly challenging field designed by Benjamin Netanyahu," Falahatpisheh added, referring to Iranian nuclear talks.

"Despite the enmity between Iran and the US, neither wants tensions in the region. Unfortunately, the Oman negotiation table has been removed, and both sides are now stuck."

Speaking to journalists in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Pezeshkian accused Israel of trying to provoke Iran into joining the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, warning of the "irreversible" consequences of further instability in the Middle East.

"We want to live in peace; we don't want war," he said, calling for a resolution through dialogue.

In an interview with CNBC, Herzog rebuffed Pezeshkian, accusing Iran of destabilizing the region through its Revolutionary Guard Corps - a transnational paramilitary organization which supports armed Islamist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis.

"The Iranian president says something, and yet his National Guards are leading the entire region into the abyss by ongoing terror," Herzog said.

Herzog questioned how smaller factions like Yemen's Houthis have acquired advanced weapons such as ballistic and cruise missiles while emphasizing Israel's view of Hezbollah as a grave threat.

"Hezbollah is a terrorist army which has basically hijacked a nation called Lebanon ... We care for them, we want to enable a peaceful future between us and Lebanon."

Pezeshkian, who assumed the presidency following a July election, also reiterated Iran's support for Hezbollah during an interview with CNN that aired on Monday while warning against escalation.

"The danger does exist that the fire of events taking place [in Lebanon] will expand to the entire region," Pezeshkian warned.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in significant casualties, with Lebanese health authorities reporting over 550 deaths in recent days from Israeli attacks.

Israel has carried out extensive aerial bombardments it says target Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, marking one of the deadliest periods since Lebanon's civil war.

This short stay could explain his limited media exposure and help mask his communication weaknesses. Over the past few months, Pezeshkian has shown he’s not a strong speaker, often repeating himself multiple times in the same interview or speech.

Even when reading from a prepared text, he tends to lose his place. On several occasions, he’s even cut speeches short, claiming the audience appeared bored.
Although Pezeshkian’s first appearance in New York took place behind closed doors in a meeting with a group of journalists, labeled by his team as "media managers," it is likely that he will delegate interviews with US and international media to his vice president for strategic affairs, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Zarif is expected to convey the message that Iran has changed and is ready to engage with the world.

Pezeshkian has described his mission to New York as "telling the world that Iran is more secure and free than you think." However, this message may be difficult to convey, given recent events.

Just recently, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, and as in previous years, Iranian expats continue to face the risk of being taken hostage on fabricated charges.

Beyond security concerns, the state of freedom in Iran is also under scrutiny, particularly with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who has spent years in prison for defending the rights of other prisoners and is expected to serve even more time behind bars.
Pezeshkian's activity in New York may be limited to a 20-minute speech at the UNGA on Tuesday and a brief five-minute address on advocating global peace. Given Iran's involvement in conflicts across the Middle East and accusations of arming Russia against Ukraine, the Iranian president may have little to contribute to the forum initiated by the UN Secretary-General.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York a couple of days before Pezeshkian with his own entourage, possibly to give the President an opportunity to pretend that unlike previous presidents he has travelled to New York as the head of a delegation of 40 people including his daughter and son-in-law. Many on Iranian social media demanded an explanation for why the couple is accompanying the President.

As of Monday evening, Araghchi had only given interviews in Farsi with Iranian state TV and the official news agency IRNA, where he expressed his willingness to resume negotiations over Iran's controversial nuclear program.

However, he quickly acknowledged that this would be difficult to achieve. It remains unclear whom he would engage with, even if Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has given him the green light.

President Joe Biden is largely inaccessible with less than two months before he leaves the White House, and the next president, whose identity remains unknown until the election concludes, won't take office until January.

Pezeshkian, Araghchi, and their entourage are set to meet with a group of Iranians living in the US, where Pezeshkian plans to invite them to invest in Iran. Ironically, many of those invited are university students and academics—not exactly known for their wealth—even if they could trust the officials after enjoying a meal of rice, broad beans, and lamb shank washed down with yogurt drink. Previous Iranian presidents have made similar appeals in past years, all without success.

Convincing Iranians that their country is safe for investment will be even more challenging than persuading foreigners. They know firsthand why they or their families left, often after having their assets confiscated, with little hope of recovering their rights. These experiences make any assurances about security and stability difficult to believe.

The views expressed are the contributor's own and do not necessarily represent the views of Iran International or its staff.