TEHRAN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that Iran is ready to continue the path of diplomacy if the U.S. "maximalist" approach stops, according to the official news agency IRNA.
Pezeshkian made the remarks in a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, while stressing that the U.S. "maritime piracy" against Iranian ships must be "explicitly" condemned and brought to an end.
He listed some of what he called "war crimes" committed by the United States and Israel during their 40-day war against Iran, including their assassinations of the country's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, high-ranking military commanders and political officials and civilians, as well as targeting of civilian and vital infrastructure and "peaceful" nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Pezeshkian described the U.S. officials' "provocative" remarks concurrent with the blockade of Iranian ports as "unacceptable and contrary to international laws and regulations," emphasizing that such actions would further complicate the situation in the region of West Asia.
He affirmed Iran's determination to defend its legitimate rights, expressing readiness to continue pursuing diplomacy for a "fair" solution that guarantees the country's rights and ensures peace and calm in the region.
Pezeshkian underlined that achieving the objective hinges on stopping the U.S. "maximalist approach and provocative actions."
He attributed the insecurity in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to the U.S. and Israeli "aggressive actions" against Iran, and the continuation of the U.S. "provocative and illegal" actions in blockading Iranian ports and attacking the country's commercial ships.
Pezeshkian called on all countries to adopt a "clear and firm" position in condemning the U.S. "maritime piracy" and threats against international shipping.
For her part, Takaichi stressed that Japan attaches special importance to the continuation of its "friendly and stable" relations with Iran, praising Iran for having allowed a Japanese ship to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
She requested safe passage for other Japanese vessels and stressed diplomacy as the main path to managing disputes and reducing tensions.
Takaichi expressed hope that peace negotiations between Iran and the United States would resume soon and eventually lead to a final agreement.
The United States imposed its anti-Iran blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after post-ceasefire negotiations with Tehran in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12 failed to lead to an agreement.
The ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel took effect on April 8 following 40 days of fighting, which started on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, barring passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States. Enditem
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