Iran's Pezeshkian says internal divisions must be addressed, calls US talks a success

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that his country faces internal divisions and that officials must accept responsibility toward the public. He warned that Iran's enemies are seeking to exploit those divisions, and called for differences to be set aside in favor of joint work for the people. Pezeshkian said problems are not being denied and that reconciliation and unity are being pursued to move the country forward. He cautioned that continued state support for subsidized gasoline, along with allocations for food coupons and pension payments, could create budget constraints. The president also criticized those who, he said, make detached statements about the working conditions of government employees, parliamentarians and military personnel without understanding them. On diplomacy, Pezeshkian said the stage reached in negotiations with the United States was approved by members of the Supreme National Security Council and described it as a major achievement. He stressed that Iran will resist bullying and pressure to the end and respond firmly, and argued that the war must end at some point, and that ending it now from a position of strength is the wiser course.