End to war must serve Iran’s national interests: Deputy Parliament speaker

💬 Exclusive | End to war must serve Iran’s national interests: Deputy Parliament speaker 📌 Tehran, IRNA – Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad has dismissed the US claim of an economic blockade on Iran as a “psychological operation,” stressing that any decision to end the war must be based on national security and interests, not pressure or war fatigue. In an exclusive interview with IRNA on Friday, Nikzad described the US claim that Iran is under an economic blockade as part of a “psychological operation,” stressing that Iran cannot easily be isolated given its 15 neighboring countries, access to international waters and strategic position in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. He said that Iran’s regional, economic and geopolitical capacities, as well as its ties with neighboring countries and Asian powers, provide significant opportunities to neutralize external pressure. He added that the country’s ability to maintain its institutions and continue decision-making and governance under such conditions demonstrated Iran’s social and political capacity to preserve cohesion and rebuild its strength. External pressure, he added, does not necessarily lead to Iran’s collapse or inaction. Addressing the possibility of continuing the war and the president’s remarks on ending it, Nikzad said that a distinction must be made between the “ability to continue the war” and the “wisdom of continuing it.” He stressed that the war is not an end in itself; otherwise, the ultimate objective is to safeguard national security and interests. He said that the criterion for peace should not be war fatigue or economic pressure, but the outcome achieved by ending the war. If ending the war helps consolidate security, reduce economic pressure, protect national interests and secure a clear outcome from the resistance, it should be welcomed, he added. Nikzad warned, however, that Iran should not be naive if the adversary seeks to use negotiations to rebuild its capabilities or impose new conditions. Negotiations and an end to the war, he said, are not the same as surrender. Iran must maintain its readiness to confront any aggression while pursuing an agreement, he added. 📲 ​