In his first speech at the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is “ready to engage” with the West in nuclear talks that could potentially relieve crippling sanctions on the country’s economy. The new president, who campaigned on a platform for reviving the stalled talks (MEES, 12 July), says he wants to “lay a strong foundation for my country’s entry into a new era, positioning it to play an effective and constructive role in the evolving global order.”
Mr Pezeshkian’s calls come in contrast to realities on the ground. Iran remains an active participant in ongoing regional escalations. Its main proxy, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, has been on the receiving end of heavy Israeli bombardment this week. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to choke international maritime trade at Bab al-Mandab and affiliated Shia militias in Iraq are a lingering threat to US bases there. (CONTINUED - 273 WORDS)