Iran President Pezeshkian: ready to end war — any deal must protect Iran's dignity, security and interests

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated at a cabinet meeting on March 30 that Iran is ready to end the war, but that any agreement must meet specific conditions. 'Any decision to end the war will be based solely on preconditions that protect the nation's dignity, security, and interests,' Pezeshkian said (Xinhua). The Middle East Monitor reported his formulation as: any decision to end the war 'must guarantee the security and interests of the Iranian people.' Street Insider framed it as: 'We're Ready To End War, But Want Guarantees.' The Pezeshkian statement is notable as the clearest conditional openness to peace talks from an Iranian head of state since the war began. It is distinct from Foreign Minister Araghchi's harder line (calling US demands 'unrealistic, illogical and excessive') and sits in context with Iran's foreign ministry spokesman (Baghaei) acknowledging receipt of US proposals through Pakistani intermediaries on March 30. China and Pakistan's joint ceasefire initiative on March 31 cited similar framework terms: ceasefire, peace talks, end attacks on nonmilitary targets, restore Hormuz. Iran's conditions likely include: halt to Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, recognition of Iranian sovereignty, removal of war-era sanctions, and formal security guarantees against regime-change operations.