Pezeshkian seeks regional peace

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on India to step up diplomatic efforts to help restore peace and security in the region, saying Iran has never welcomed war and still believes dialogue is the only path forward. Speaking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan, Pezeshkian thanked India for its support during the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel. He said continued war serves no one’s interests and argued that Iran has honored its commitments in negotiations, while the US has not.

Pezeshkian said Iran’s policy since the start of his administration has been to pursue peace, stability and dispute resolution through talks. He accused Washington of choosing force over diplomacy and warned against warmongering, saying reason demands avoid escalation. Modi reaffirmed ties with Iran and discussed transport, maritime cooperation, Hormuz and Chabahar, stressing protection of civilians, shipping and navigation.

Meanwhile Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek. Pezeshkian and Shehbaz Sharif said peace, unity, and regional cooperation should guide West Asia. Pezeshkian said no people should face violence because of religion, sect, or ethnicity, and argued that Islamic countries can settle disputes through dialogue without foreign intervention. He also welcomed the Saudi Arabia–Pakistan–Turkey defense pact as a step toward stronger unity in the Muslim world.

Sharif said recent cooperation between Iran and Pakistan has produced positive results, warned that regional insecurity is harming millions, and urged deeper coordination to restore peace.