Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Pezeshkian backs US dialogue but warns Iran won't surrender
The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, says his country wants to talk with the United States instead of fighting.
Iran and the United States signed a paper called a memorandum of understanding that was supposed to help end a war.
Iran says it will keep its promises as long as the United States keeps its promises too.
The president says Iran will not be forced to surrender.
Some people wondered if the president might quit, but he said he will keep doing his job.
There are reports that leaders in Iran do not all agree about the agreement.
Recently, two big explosions happened on an island in Iran called Qeshm.
Iran's military said the explosions happened after it fought against 'hostile enemy targets' near the Strait of Hormuz.
Government officials say there was no damage and they are still checking what caused the explosions.
Right now, people are waiting to see if Iran and the United States will keep talking for peace.
President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran's preference for dialogue with the United States while insisting Iran cannot be forced into surrender.
Iran will honour its commitments under the memorandum of understanding as long as Washington fulfils its obligations, Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian rejected speculation about his possible resignation amid reports of divisions within Iran's leadership over the agreement.
Two explosions occurred on Qeshm Island in Hormozgan province after Iranian military units reportedly engaged 'hostile enemy targets' near the Strait of Hormuz.
Hormozgan Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi said no direct strikes or damage were reported, and security agencies have launched an investigation into the blasts.
- Who
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Hormozgan Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi
- What
- Iran reaffirmed its preference for dialogue with the United States under a memorandum of understanding while remaining firm against forced surrender, as two explosions occurred on Qeshm Island amid renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The interview was published on Friday; the explosions occurred on Thursday night at around 9:40 pm local time (1810 GMT).
- Where
- Iran, specifically Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province, near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Iran says it cannot be forced into surrender and will honour the agreement only if Washington fulfils its obligations; the cause of the explosions is under investigation.
Dialogue Stance
Skeptic Stance
Negotiating with the US
Dialogue Stance
Pezeshkian defends his administration's decision to negotiate with the United States and sign the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.
Skeptic Stance
Reports of divisions within Iran's leadership over the agreement and renewed diplomatic tensions have raised questions about the future of the talks.
Cause of the Qeshm Island explosions
Dialogue Stance
Tasnim news agency reported the blasts occurred after Iranian military units engaged 'hostile enemy targets' near the Strait of Hormuz.
Skeptic Stance
Hormozgan Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi said no direct strikes or damage were reported and an investigation was launched to determine the cause.
Stability of the presidency
Dialogue Stance
Pezeshkian says he will 'continue his work resolutely' and rejects resignation speculation.
Skeptic Stance
Speculation about his possible resignation emerged amid reports of divisions within the country's leadership over the agreement.
- President of Iran
- Masoud Pezeshkian
- Agreement
- Memorandum of understanding signed in June establishing a 60-day period for negotiations
- Key event
- Two explosions on Qeshm Island, Hormozgan province
- Time of explosions
- Around 9:40 pm local time (1810 GMT), Thursday night
- Reported trigger
- Iranian military units engaged 'hostile enemy targets' near the Strait of Hormuz (per Tasnim news agency)
- Damage report
- No direct strikes or damage reported on Qeshm Island or Bandar Abbas (per Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi)
- Status
- Investigation by relevant security agencies underway