Key facts
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. as the best path out of a stalled conflict.
- The new head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, threatened retaliation against neighboring countries supporting U.S. sanctions.
- Pakistan's army chief is set to visit Tehran on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional peace.
- Violence has continued in the occupied West Bank, with a Palestinian man reporting an assault by an Israeli settler and a stabbing attack injuring an Israeli man.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the most viable path to resolve the ongoing conflict, emphasizing its alignment with national interests and the need to mitigate economic risks. He stated that the agreement, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed to end the war within 60 days, though significant differences remain, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, the newly appointed head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, adopted a more confrontational stance, warning regional neighbors against supporting further U.S. sanctions. Rezaei threatened severe retaliation, including targeting oil-shipping routes, if these countries align with U.S. economic pressure.
In other regional news, Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is scheduled to visit Tehran on Monday to foster bilateral cooperation and regional stability. This visit follows mediation efforts by Pakistan to end the conflict.
Separately, violence in the occupied West Bank has escalated. A Palestinian man reported being assaulted by an Israeli settler, while Israeli military forces are pursuing a suspect in a stabbing attack that injured an Israeli man. These incidents are part of a broader increase in violence in the region.