Iranian president signals desire for "dignity-based" talks, not war

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Iranian president signals desire for "dignity-based" talks, not war

2026-01-31 15:57 Last Updated At：02-01 12:32

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that Iran has consistently pursued engagement and dialogue to resolve disputes and is not seeking war.

Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran's "dignity-based diplomacy" during separate phone talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to statements on the Iranian president's official website.

He said Iran's approach is based on engagement within the framework of international law, mutual respect, and refraining from threats or coercion. "Any aggression against the country and its people will be responded to immediately and decisively," he added.

Iranian media reported on Friday that Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had warned that any move that indicates hostile intent from an enemy will be met with a "proportionate, effective, and deterrent response."

He said Iran has uncovered is enemies' operational plans, and it will direct strikes "at the appropriate time."

These statements come amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions as Washington increases military pressure on the Middle East nation, where nationwide unrest has erupted since late December 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump said a "massive armada," led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, is heading toward Iran, warning that "time is running out" for Tehran to reach a deal with Washington.

On Friday, Trump said that Iran "wants to make deal," and suggested that the White House has privately communicated a deadline to Iran to reach a deal.

The U.S. has said a deal with Iran must include a ban on uranium enrichment, removal of already-enriched uranium, a cap on long-range missiles, and a rollback of support for regional proxies -- all conditions Tehran has rejected.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.