New Delhi, Sep 11: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Friday that Iran would not yield to “bullying” and “arrogance,” asserting the nation’s resolve to safeguard its interests amidst heightened tensions in West Asia. Speaking in New Delhi, President Pezeshkian directly addressed the United States and Israel, stating that Iran would stand firm against external pressures.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Iranian President, speaking at an event attended by religious leaders, intellectuals, academics, and business figures, articulated Tehran’s perspective on regional dynamics. He emphasised a commitment to peaceful coexistence while also pledging to counter foreign actors perceived as aiming to destabilise Iran.
“We will not surrender to oppression. Iran is standing up to Israel and the US because we will not be bullied, and if they push us, we will push them back,” President Pezeshkian stated, labelling US and Israeli forces as “real militants.” He cited a US strike near a primary school in southern Iran that resulted in the deaths of 168 children as an example of targeting civilians.
The Iranian President suggested that adversaries should engage with Iranian soldiers rather than targeting civilian infrastructure and lives. He conveyed that despite efforts to impose hardship through sanctions and strikes, the Iranian people would not be deterred.
President Pezeshkian’s pronouncements coincide with a period of escalating tensions in West Asia, marked by recent US airstrikes on Iranian targets and intensified economic sanctions. He characterised the actions of the United States and Israel as akin to “someone riding a wild horse without reining it in,” predicting that such behaviour would lead to their downfall. He underscored the principle of living together peacefully among nations, including Iranians, Chinese, and Indians, and reiterated Iran’s support for the oppressed.
The gathering in New Delhi was attended by notable figures including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Patanjali Ayurved co-founder and managing director Acharya Balkrishna, and ORF Director General Sujan R Chinoy.
President Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday morning for a three-day visit, primarily to participate in the BRICS summit. Earlier in the day, he engaged in comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on the prevailing West Asian situation and bilateral relations between India and Iran.
The Iranian President described his talks with Prime Minister Modi as “nice” and expressed optimism that they would foster cooperation and enhance relations in trade, technology, and culture. He highlighted Iran’s potential role as a strategic partner in energy and food supply, leveraging its extensive reserves and strategic geographic position.
Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, President Pezeshkian advocated for an increased adoption of local currencies in BRICS trade. He also promoted Iran’s geography, energy resources, and transportation networks as crucial assets for the bloc’s economic connectivity, calling for BRICS to move beyond its economic potential to build a more integrated network of trade, investment, and joint financing.
In a separate interaction with reporters, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to India as a “great emerging country” and commended its role as the current chair of BRICS. He expressed confidence in India’s ability to lead the BRICS members effectively. Araghchi acknowledged that while varying opinions exist within BRICS, there is a collective belief among members in strengthening national currencies and conducting intra-member trade using these currencies. He also noted that the establishment of a single currency for BRICS trade remains under consideration.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
