Pezeshkian says US, Israel wanted to seize Iran within 48 hours

The United States and Israel wanted to seize Iran within 48 hours, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, Report informs, citing ISNA.

"Despite all difficulties, today Iran is called a strong and respected country," Pezeshkian said.

In an address to the nation marking the anniversary of his inauguration, the Iranian president added that all US efforts were aimed at creating division.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran. Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes that day. Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and the Gulf countries hosting US military bases.

Iran, the United States and their allies reached a ceasefire agreement overnight into April 8. Trump later extended the ceasefire indefinitely.

The sides held talks in Pakistan to resolve the conflict, but the first round on April 11-12 produced no results.

A memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran was digitally signed on June 18 by the leaders of both countries, Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian. However, on July 8, US Central Command said it had carried out "massive powerful strikes" against Iran in response to Iranian attacks on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

On August 2, Trump announced that a planned new attack on Iran had been canceled on the condition that an agreement was reached. Talks are currently underway on control over the Strait of Hormuz.