Iran's former president Khatemi calls for support of US talks, says peace is not betrayal

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's former president and reformist leader Mohammad Khatemi called for backing the country's negotiation process and pursuing an honorable peace, according to a statement from his office. Khatemi told a meeting of his advisors that ending the threat of war should be a national priority and that the Iranian public broadly wants to move away from war and tension toward stability. He said peace is not a betrayal and does not conflict with the line of Imam Hussein, urging full support for any agreements reached and adherence to commitments made. Khatemi called on political figures, opinion leaders, the media and civil society organizations to play an effective role in helping the negotiations succeed. The former president added that national interest requires eliminating the risk of war and that state institutions should safeguard the country's interests ahead of political disputes. He said the opportunity opened for stability must be protected, without elaborating on specific diplomatic steps. No further details on the meeting or the negotiation process were immediately available.