Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has stated for the first time that certain countries have initiated mediation efforts to end the conflict with the U.S. and Israel, though he did not name them. He added that any talks must involve those who started the war.
Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and Oman have all offered to mediate at various points since the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes last Saturday. Two days ago, Iran’s foreign ministry indicated it was a time for national defense, not diplomacy.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian wrote: “Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Let’s be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity and sovereignty. Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.”
The war began while Iran was engaged in talks with the U.S. about its nuclear program. Previous U.S. and Israeli strikes in June also occurred during nuclear negotiations.
Recent statements from the U.S. and Israel show no immediate willingness to negotiate. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said late Thursday that firepower over Iran would soon “surge dramatically,” while the Israel Defense Forces announced a new, intensified phase of the campaign on Friday morning.
Throughout the war, Pezeshkian has often said it is too late for Iran to negotiate. He has generally emphasized the need for new leadership in Iran to avoid a complete regime change, which Israel prefers.
Pezeshkian’s comments came as Iran’s weakened reformist alliance suggested that Tehran should appoint a supreme leader who could counter U.S. propaganda portraying Iran as warmongering and reduce domestic polarization.
The Reform Front, which helped elect Pezeshkian 18 months ago, argued that attacks on non-military U.S. assets in the region are eroding global sympathy for Iran as a victim of aggression, according to a report by the Iranian newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad.
The group stated, “The election of a new leadership of the regime could convey a message of peace and friendship with the world, and thus strengthen anti-war protests on the global stage. It should also signal the beginning of a new era in Iran, one that promises the inclusion of all political and civil voices in governing the country.”
It warned that relying on only part of society to win the war would be a “very big and unforgivable mistake.” The Reform Front did not name a preferred candidate for leadership, which is chosen by the 88-member Assembly of Experts. Currently, the government is led by a temporary tripartite council.
There are widespread reports that Donald Trump opposes the idea of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, succeeding his father.
The reformists also called for a general amnesty to release political prisoners and civil activists, arguing that national unity and cohesion are essential in a war against an enemy with “the most advanced military and information technologies.”
Although reformists hold limited influence in Iran, this criticism—framed in the context of national defense—is one of the few signs of internal debate over how to end the country’s international isolation and whether attacks on Gulf states may be counterproductive.
There were earlier reports of a widespread release of prominent political prisoners, but later indications suggested that only Ali Shakouri-Rad, a senior reformist politician arrested last month, had been freed.Days after a private meeting was leaked in which he accused security forces of deliberately escalating—and even staging—violence, including alleged killings among their own ranks to justify January’s sweeping crackdown on protests, he is now suffering medical issues.
The Reform Front argued that Iran needs to attract regional and global support and cooperation, stating that expanding retaliatory attacks would “take Iran from the position of being oppressed and a victim of aggression, provoke an inevitable reaction from regional governments, draw them into the global consensus against Iran, and ultimately reduce our diplomatic ability to end the war.”
It also called on “all components of Iranian society—whether Turks, Kurds, Lors, Arabs, Baluchis, Turkmens, Persians, and others—to defend Iran’s national identity, independence, and territorial integrity.”
The reformists added that opportunities were lost when recommendations from prominent reformist leader Seyyed Mohammad Khatami and the Reform Front itself last summer were ignored.
While strongly condemning the U.S.-Israeli aggression, the group also said Iran would be in a stronger position diplomatically and socially if calls to release political prisoners had been heeded last summer after the 12-day war.
The Reform Front—whose leadership was recently targeted in mass arrests by security services—said Israel’s goal is chaos, civil war, and the disintegration of Iran.
Pezeshkian’s son Yousef said the government needs to decide on its ideal postwar scenario, as that will shape “the decisions made, the operations we carry out, and the words we say.”
He openly discussed the factors that will determine the outcome of the war, noting that a key assessment is whether Iran’s “endurance will be greater than the enemy’s.” This will depend partly on weapons stockpiles.
For the most part, state-aligned Iranian TV and websites are focusing on the claimed military successes of security forces or on civilian deaths, with little coverage of the damage being inflicted on Iranian missile launchers and security infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the statement from Irans president regarding mediation in the war structured from beginner to more advanced questions
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly did Irans president say
He stated that some countries have begun taking steps to mediate and help end the ongoing war suggesting there are behindthescenes diplomatic efforts
2 Which war is he talking about
While not always explicitly named in such statements the context is almost certainly the war between Russia and Ukraine that began with Russias fullscale invasion in February 2022
3 What does mediating mean in this context
Mediating means that neutral or influential countries are acting as gobetweens facilitating talks and proposing compromises to help the two warring sides reach a ceasefire or a peace agreement
4 Why is Iran talking about this Isnt Iran involved in the war
Iran is a relevant player because it has provided military support to Russia Its president commenting on mediation could signal a shift in posture an attempt to appear diplomatic or an acknowledgment of behindthescenes pressure
5 Which countries might be mediating
While not officially named likely candidates include major nonWestern powers with ties to both sides such as China Turkey Saudi Arabia the UAE or possibly Brazil The United Nations could also be involved
Intermediate Advanced Questions
6 Why would countries want to mediate now
Potential reasons include war fatigue global economic strain fear of escalation into a wider conflict humanitarian concerns and a desire by some nations to increase their global diplomatic influence
7 Is this a sign the war might end soon
Not necessarily While mediation is a prerequisite for talks it is a very early step Both Russia and Ukraine have stated conditions for peace that are currently far apart Mediation efforts often take a long time especially in a major war
8 What are the biggest challenges for any mediator
Trust Gap Deep mistrust between Ukraine and Russia
Core Demands Ukraines demand for full restoration of its territory and Russias demand for security guarantees and recognition of its annexed territories
