Coercion and bullying won't work: Iran's message to US during Munir meet

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir that the United States must change its approach towards Tehran, warning that “coercion and bullying” would complicate diplomatic efforts.Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Munir in Tehran on Monday, according to the official website of the Iranian President.Munir arrived in Iran for talks with Iranian officials amid heightened regional tensions and continuing friction between Tehran and Washington.The Iranian president also expressed hope that continued cooperation between Iran and Pakistan would help achieve the goals outlined in a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).“The United States must correct its tone and approach in its interactions with Iran, because relying on coercion and bullying will only complicate the implementation processes,” Pezeshkian said.He stressed that Washington should adhere to its commitments to Iran based on international law and standards.Pezeshkian also said Iran would withstand pressure by relying on national solidarity.“Our nation will overcome any pressure and threat by relying on this solidarity,” he said.

Pezeshkian stresses regional cooperation, unity

During the meeting, Pezeshkian stressed the need for lasting peace and security in the region and called for greater cooperation with Islamic countries and neighbouring states.“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for any cooperation and interaction in the economic, political, and security dimensions with Islamic countries and neighbours, because the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has always commanded peace and friendship,” he said.He also emphasised the importance of unity among Islamic countries, describing it as a deterrent against what he called the “conspiracies of the Zionist regime and the enemies of Islam”.“The unity and cohesion of Islamic countries is the most important deterrent against the conspiracies of the Zionist regime and the enemies of Islam, and if this convergence is realised, the enemies will not be able to advance their sinister goals,” Pezeshkian said.The Iranian president also referred to coordination within Iran to advance regional peace and stability and expressed hope that Pakistan's diplomatic efforts would contribute to stability in the region.He said he hoped the “Islamic world will achieve increasing growth, dignity, and pride”.Munir, in turn, thanked Pezeshkian for his efforts towards establishing regional stability and peace.“In order to advance common goals and achieve a comprehensive agreement, it is essential that diplomatic processes be discussed and examined with complete precision and meticulousness,” Munir said, according to the Iranian president's official website.The Pakistan Army chief also welcomed the growing trend of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.He said the “deep historical, religious and cultural commonalities between Pakistan and Iran are a valuable asset for overcoming the current complex circumstances and charting a bright future”.

Munir’s Iran visit follows Trump call

Munir's visit to Tehran comes after he spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump last week, according to US media reports.

A source familiar with the conversation told CNN that Trump and Munir discussed Iran.Munir also met Iranian officials during his visit. Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported that he held talks with Major General Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.Rezaei also called on Washington to change its behaviour and take practical steps to implement the 14-point MoU.Earlier on Monday, Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also met Munir in Tehran.

According to a statement shared by Ghalibaf on Telegram, the two discussed what Iran described as repeated US breaches of commitments under the MoU.“The commitments of the parties in the Memorandum of Understanding are clear, and it was America that, by breaching its commitments, prevented the establishment of stability in the region and created another reason for distrust in this country,” Ghalibaf said.He said Tehran remained committed to implementing the MoU and that Iran would not be affected by external pressure.“We are pursuing the implementation of the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, and it is America that must adhere to its commitments based on the Memorandum of Understanding,” the statement quoted him as saying.Munir also said he would continue his efforts to restore stability in the region, according to the statement.

Iran faces fresh US economic pressure

Munir's visit comes as Washington has announced fresh economic sanctions against Iran.US treasury secretary Scott Bessent on Monday unveiled new measures targeting 60 individuals, entities and vessels, while stopping short of imposing the most severe penalties threatened against countries that continue trading with Iran.Iranian economy minister Ali Madanizadeh said Tehran was prepared to respond to the new sanctions.“We are fully prepared for the US sanctions,” Madanizadeh said, according to Reuters.He said Iran had its own tools to respond to what he described as an economic attack and claimed that China and Russia had not accepted the US measures.Pakistan's earlier mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran had resulted in an interim peace agreement signed in June, but the Islamabad Memorandum subsequently faltered.Against this backdrop, Munir's meetings with Iran's top political and security officials have focused on diplomatic processes, regional stability and implementation of the 14-point MoU.