The comments come after US Treasury chief Bessent vowed Washington would ‘collapse’ the Iranian regime with sanctions
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 2:29am, 22 Aug 2026Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday it was time to end the months-long Middle East war with the US because Tehran appeared to be in a stronger position than Washington.
Talks between the long-time foes remain on hold, and the war started by the US and Israel in February has been locked in a stalemate.
Tehran is keeping the key Strait of Hormuz partially shut, and Washington is persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iran.
“It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity,” Pezeshkian said in a meeting with doctors.
“The whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasises that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world.”
Pezeshkian also defended a memorandum of understanding agreed with the US in June aimed at ending the war, insisting it did not signal a defeat for Tehran. “They cannot find even a single clause in this agreement that indicates capitulation. All the commitments concern the other side,” he said.
