Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had supported diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-running conflict between Iran and the United States, a claim that comes as Tehran faces internal disagreement over whether to pursue negotiations or continue confrontation.

Pezeshkian said Khamenei had wanted Iran to move beyond a prolonged state of neither war nor peace and suggested that diplomacy could provide a way forward without compromising national interests. His remarks were part of a broader argument that Iran should seek an end to the conflict while maintaining what he described as strength and dignity.

The comments were made as U.S.-Iran tensions remained unresolved following the collapse of diplomatic efforts and continued economic pressure from Washington. The Associated Press reported that Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as a possible path out of the stalled conflict, while Iran’s security leadership took a more confrontational position. https://apnews.com/article/a3fff9eba47a5510060e8014b82d794f

The statement about Khamenei’s position adds another layer to the debate over Iran’s future strategy after the death of the former supreme leader. Pezeshkian said that Khamenei had supported finding a solution through discussions rather than remaining trapped in an indefinite confrontation with Washington.

However, Iran’s political system includes competing centers of influence, and not all officials have embraced the same approach. Some hard-line figures have criticized calls for negotiations, arguing that talks with the United States could weaken Iran’s position. Others have warned that continued conflict is creating economic and social pressures that require a diplomatic response.

The dispute reflects a longstanding challenge in U.S.-Iran relations: both sides have periodically engaged in negotiations while maintaining deep mistrust. Previous diplomatic efforts, including nuclear discussions and temporary agreements, have repeatedly faced obstacles involving sanctions, regional security issues, and disagreements over compliance.

For Washington, the latest remarks from Tehran could influence discussions over future policy toward Iran. U.S. officials have continued to focus on limiting Iran’s military capabilities, addressing nuclear concerns, and using economic pressure as leverage. At the same time, any indication that Iranian leaders are open to diplomacy could create pressure for renewed engagement.

The issue also carries broader regional consequences. The United States has significant security commitments in the Middle East, while Iran maintains relationships with armed groups and political allies across the region. Any escalation or diplomatic breakthrough could affect regional stability, shipping routes, energy markets, and the security calculations of U.S. partners.

Pezeshkian’s comments also come amid questions about Iran’s internal political direction after Khamenei’s death. The transition has created uncertainty over how power will be balanced among elected officials, religious authorities, military institutions, and security organizations.

While the Iranian president presented diplomacy as a possible solution, it remains unclear whether Tehran and Washington can overcome their differences. Negotiations would likely require agreement on some of the most sensitive issues in the relationship, including sanctions relief, security guarantees, military activities, and nuclear restrictions.

The United States has historically approached negotiations with Iran cautiously, citing concerns about verification and enforcement. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have repeatedly argued that sanctions and military pressure have limited trust and complicated diplomatic efforts.

The latest comments from Pezeshkian do not represent a confirmed change in Iran’s official foreign policy, but they provide insight into the internal debate over the country’s next steps. The president’s remarks suggest that at least some senior officials believe diplomacy could serve Iran’s interests better than continued confrontation.

As both countries assess their options, the future of U.S.-Iran relations will likely depend on whether political leaders can bridge differences between domestic priorities and international demands. Any renewed talks would face significant challenges, but Pezeshkian’s comments indicate that diplomacy remains part of the conversation inside Tehran.