TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Thursday, said Tehran would not bow down to US pressure but added that the Islamic Republic does not seek war.
APA‘s Tehran bureau reports that Pezeshkian said Iran did not seek war but would defend what he described as its rights under international law. He accused the United States of targeting Iranian leaders, commanders, students and civilians during the conflict.
He said such actions were unacceptable under international law. Pezeshkian also accused the United States and Israel of obstructing efforts to restore calm in the region.
The Iranian president said Tehran and Doha could move past recent tensions and resume cooperation. He also raised the fate of Iranian military pilots.
Iran says three pilots were captured by Qatar after their aircraft entered Qatari airspace and went down during the conflict.
Qatar denies holding the pilots. Doha says it recovered the remains of one Iranian pilot and invited Iran to send a technical team to review search-and-rescue operations.
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Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as Qatar’s foreign minister, held separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran.
Read: Iran-Qatar Hormuz Talks Focus on Reopening Strait
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said before the visit that the discussions would focus on de-escalation, dialogue and Qatar’s mediation efforts.
