Iran President In Delhi Accuses US, Israel Of Bullying, Declares Tehran Will Not Surrender

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday expressed hope that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would open the way for deeper cooperation between India and Iran, while sharply criticising the United States and Israel over the ongoing conflict involving Tehran. Pezeshkian, who arrived in New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit, said Iran would not surrender despite what he described as attempts by the US and Israel to intimidate the country. Addressing Indian religious leaders, intellectuals and business representatives at an event in the national capital, Pezeshkian thanked the Indian government and Modi for their hospitality.

He said his discussions with the Prime Minister had been positive and expressed hope that the talks would help revive and expand bilateral ties across several areas. According to a translation of his remarks, the Iranian President said the two countries could work together to strengthen cooperation in culture, technology, trade, science and the economy. Pezeshkian said the discussions with Modi could provide a foundation for renewed engagement between India and Iran. The two countries have historically maintained relations across trade, energy, connectivity and cultural exchanges, while continuing to engage despite shifting geopolitical circumstances.

Pezeshkian's comments indicated Tehran's interest in strengthening those ties and exploring additional areas of cooperation at a time of heightened tensions in West Asia. The Iranian President also used his address to strongly criticise Washington and Tel Aviv over the war that began in February this year. He accused the United States and Israel of attempting to bully Iran and said his country would not bow to such pressure. Pezeshkian asserted that Iran would continue to resist and push back against what he described as efforts to force Tehran into submission. His remarks came during a period of heightened tensions surrounding Iran and its confrontation with the United States and Israel.

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The conflict has had wider regional consequences, with concerns over security, energy supplies, trade routes and the possibility of further escalation. Iran has repeatedly rejected pressure from its adversaries and maintained that it will defend its interests, while the US and Israel have cited their own security concerns in justifying their actions against Tehran. Pezeshkian's visit to New Delhi also coincided with India's BRICS engagement. Prime Minister Modi thanked Iran for its regular and high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite the challenging circumstances, highlighting Tehran's continued involvement in the grouping.

Iran's participation provides another avenue for India to maintain diplomatic engagement with Tehran while navigating a complex international environment involving competing geopolitical interests. The Iranian President's visit therefore combined bilateral diplomacy with discussions on broader regional developments. While his remarks reflected Tehran's defiant position toward the US and Israel, his comments on India focused on expanding practical cooperation. By highlighting culture, technology, trade, science and the economy, Pezeshkian indicated that Iran wants to build on the existing relationship with India despite the wider geopolitical tensions affecting the region.

The discussions between Modi and Pezeshkian are expected to remain significant for India-Iran relations as both countries seek to preserve diplomatic and economic engagement amid the changing regional landscape. Pezeshkian's call for renewed cooperation, alongside his strong criticism of Washington and Tel Aviv, underscored the contrasting priorities of his New Delhi visit: strengthening India's bilateral partnership with Iran while presenting Tehran's position on the wider conflict to an Indian audience.

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