Pazashkian: Khamenei directed “to end the state of non-war and non-peace” with America

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei directed his government to “end the state of no war and no peace,” asking him to “end” the war with the United States, official media reported Monday.

“The Dear Leader said, ‘End it,’” Pezeshkian said, referring to the war. He added that sacrificing for the sake of the nation is "a commendable matter."

The official Iranian news agency (IRNA) quoted Pezeshkian as saying: “If we really want to achieve something tangible, we must strive with dignity to get our people out of this situation. We can negotiate with dignity, and we can end the matter with dignity.”

The Iranian president's comments come one day after US President Donald Trump told CNN that it was "highly unlikely" that he would have to order the US to return to war with Iran. These statements coincide with intense diplomatic activity in the Middle East, especially between Iran and the countries of the region.

Earlier Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said that Iran is waiting to know how the changes in American voters’ attitudes toward war with Iran will translate into reality.

Baghaei said in a press conference: “The important point that has become clear to everyone is that opinion polls indicated that the military aggression by the United States and the Zionist entity against Iran did not enjoy the support of world public opinion, including the American people,” adding: “We have to see how this will translate practically on the ground.”

Baghaei added that the war on Iran, the United States’ alliance with Israel, and “moving away” from the “America First” foreign policy; All of these are factors that led to the defeat of the Republican Party in the US midterm elections.

Trump himself attributed part of his party's loss to growing feelings of hatred toward Israel, which is a close ally of the United States and the largest recipient of American foreign aid ever.

Trump said in an interview with CBS News on Sunday: “They did not like the war option. They did not like the rise in gasoline prices - which I had succeeded in reducing to low levels - and there is - incredibly - great hatred towards Israel.”

Monday, Baghaei also affirmed Iran's commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which gives it the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

“We have not suspended our obligations (under the treaty),” Baghaei said, adding that “an inspection of the Bushehr power plant was conducted (by the International Atomic Energy Agency) a few days ago.”

It is noteworthy that the International Atomic Energy Agency's access to Iranian sites has been subject to severe restrictions since June 2025, when the United States and Israel launched an initial attack on Iran.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, where ships transporting oil and gas are still subject to Iranian attacks while crossing, Baqaei held the United States responsible, noting that it is “pressuring” these ships to take unsafe routes.

He said: “Unfortunately, we are witnessing ships passing through unsafe routes - whether under pressure or as a result of temptations from American parties - and being exposed...”