Iranian President: "Defending the border, but not seeking to expand the war"

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the tensions with the United States and said this morning (Tuesday) that "Iran is defending its borders, but does not seek to expand the war," according to reports in the Islamic Republic's state media.

Last night, US President Donald Trump attacked the leadership in Iran, defining it as "incredibly hypocritical." He said:

"The talks have not been cancelled, they are taking place even now - and this is Iran's last chance to sign an agreement. We were supposed to attack last night, and they found out about it from leaks. I want to give them every chance before we cut off their head. I hope they come to their senses. We will know today or tomorrow where this is going."

Referring to Tehran, Trump said: "Whether Iran wants to admit it or not - we are actually talking about a solution to a problem it has created for decades." Trump emphasized that "nothing will go to Iran unless we want it to, and that will not happen until an agreement is reached - or a total surrender on its part."

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian source told the Saudi channel Al-Hadath that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan. At the same time, it was reported that there was "cautious optimism" regarding a breakthrough in negotiations with the US regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz: "The mediators need more time to announce a ceasefire."

Earlier yesterday, Trump said that "what we are doing now is talking to Iran." The Iranian Foreign Ministry contradicted these remarks: "There are currently no direct talks with the US, only with Oman on the issue of managing the Strait of Hormuz." Trump also addressed the request of the Gulf states not to carry out the attack:

"I was asked by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran. We were supposed to go out, but when allies ask to cancel it, you have to say 'let's see'."

He further said: "They said there is a deal in the immediate timeframe, as far as Hormuz is concerned. There is a group of people who want us to just go and finish it, and there are other people who don't want me to do it." When asked if there is a deadline for a deal, he answered: "We'll just see what happens, we are ready to go at any moment. Do I prefer a deal? I don't want to kill people."

In addition, Trump addressed his conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and said: "I asked the Saudi Crown Prince, what do you prefer? He said he prefers a deal because you don't know what attacks will lead to, they might be flooded with refugees arriving in their country, and disasters, many bad things can happen."