President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran condemns any aggression in the world, stressing that the Islamic Republic’s principled policy is to foster peace and friendship, prevent tensions and interact with world countries.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always tried to spread peace and friendship, condemned aggression anywhere in the world, and is ready to cooperate to stop wars, violence and insecurity in the world,” Pezeshkian told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre over phone. 

The Iranian president criticized the US for violating the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and complained about the European parties’ failure to fulfill their obligations under the accord.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran fulfilled all its obligations under the JCPOA, but it was the United States that, in addition to breaking the agreement and unilateral withdrawal from it resorted to increasing pressure and sanctions against our country and nation and the European countries unfortunately did not implement even one clause of their commitments, contrary to expectations,” Pezeshkian noted.

"Our policy is peace and friendship, avoiding tension and conflict, and interacting and expanding relations with all the countries of the world, but if our country is forced to do something under sanctions and pressure, then our approach and behavior will definitely move in another direction," he added.

He denounced the double standards of the US and certain Western countries vis-à-vis human rights and democracy. 

"America and some Western countries accuse other countries of violating human rights because of the mistreatment of one person, but they are not only silent toward the bloodshed against tens of thousands of innocent women, children, young and old in Gaza and the bombing of civilian areas, schools and hospitals by the Zionist regime, they also provide financial support and weapons to this regime. Which criterion and logic is this compatible with?"

Pezeshkian appreciated the positions of the Norwegian government in support of the Palestinian nation, calling on the Norwegian prime minister to work more closely with other European countries to immediately stop Israeli atrocities against oppressed Palestinians in Gaza.

For his part, the Norwegian prime minister described relations between Oslo and Tehran as friendly and historical, stating that Norway has always considered Iran as a friend and wished for the development and prosperity of the Iranian nation and will continue to do so.

Støre also expressed concern about the uptick in tensions in the West Asia region, especially Israeli offensives against the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip.

“We have condemned Israel's war against Gaza and its disastrous consequences. Norway, along with Ireland and Spain, was among the first European countries to have recognized the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state. We hope these bitter and unfortunate developments will come to an end as soon as possible,” he noted.