Tehran, Iran - September 16, 2024

Iran is willing to keep strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation with China, President Masoud Pezeshkian told reporters on Monday in the capital Tehran.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during his first news conference since taking office in late July.

Iran was admitted to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a member state in 2023 and has achieved full membership in the BRICS group from January 1, 2024.

When asked how he views the prospect of China-Iran relations, Pezeshkian hailed China's successful mediation that led to the reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia while eying deeper bilateral cooperation with China.

When it comes to tensions in the Middle East, Pezeshkian accused Israel of trying to drag Iran into the conflict and undermining regional peace by assassinating former Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has remained restrained but reserves the right to self-defense under specific conditions, he stressed.

The Iranian president also condemned Israel for committing war crimes and genocide against Palestinians, urging the international community to condemn and stop these actions.

On relations with the United States, Pezeshkian noted that Iran seeks peace instead of war, and has no plans to develop nuclear weapons. However, the United States has torn up the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imposed comprehensive sanctions against Iran.

The improvement of U.S.-Iran relations depends on whether the United States will remove its hostility towards Iran and lift the sanctions, he said.

He called on countries in the region to strengthen solidarity, bridge differences, and stop the crimes committed by Israel. Iran stands ready to continue enhancing cooperation with friendly countries such as China within the framework of multilateralism to achieve win-win results, said Pezeshkian.

Shotlist:
Tehran, Iran - July 16, 2024:
1. Press conference in progress, CCTV reporter asking question;
2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian President (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"Iran has always maintained good relations with China. Chinese mediation to resolve Iran-Saudi disputes marks a big step towards regional harmony. Iran is a comprehensive strategic partner of China. We will work to strengthen [bilateral relations] and implement relevant agreements. We hope to advance that cooperation.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
3. Various of reporters, cameramen;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of press conference in progress, Pezeshkian speaking;
FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 10, 2023
5. Various of national flags of Iran, cityscape, traffic;
FILE: Tehran, Iran - Aug 2023
6. National flags of Iran, cityscape, traffic;
7. Azadi Tower;
8. Traffic;
FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 10, 2023
9. Cityscape;
FILE: Isfahan, Iran - July 19, 2021
10. Traffic.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]