Iran President Defends US Memorandum as Best Path Out of Stalled Conflict

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday described a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best available path out of the stalled war. He spoke as the new head of Iran's top security body warned neighbouring countries that supporting additional US sanctions would be treated as an act of war.

The memorandum has not been published in full. Pezeshkian presented it as a practical channel that could freeze escalation and reopen limited economic space. Iranian officials have linked the document to efforts to stabilise oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and to reduce pressure on the currency, which recently hit a record low against the dollar.

Mohsen Rezaei, the security official, said any state that joins new American economic measures against Tehran will be considered an enemy. He stated that Iran would target their interests in response. The warning was directed at countries that have so far stayed neutral or limited their cooperation with US sanctions.

Egypt has attempted to revive direct talks between Iran and the United States. Iraqi and Iranian statements indicated that Tehran has helped some vessels carrying Iraqi oil transit the strait. Those claims remain unverified by independent shipping data.

The United States has pressed China and other buyers to reduce Iranian oil purchases further. Washington describes the current campaign as its most comprehensive economic operation against Iran. Beijing has so far resisted full alignment.

Inside Iran the memorandum has drawn mixed reactions. Some officials see it as a necessary pause. Others view any written understanding with Washington as a concession. Pezeshkian's public defence aims to settle the internal debate in favour of engagement.

No timetable for implementation has been released. Both sides continue to exchange public statements while military and economic pressure remains in place. The next weeks will show whether the memorandum produces concrete steps or remains a diplomatic statement.