Iran’s president says U.S. memorandum is best path out of war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday defended the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in mid-June as the best way to move beyond a situation of “neither war nor peace.” “There is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation,” Pezeshkian said in a speech published by state-run IRNA early Sunday. “The supreme leader sets the policies, and we will follow that path.” The memorandum of understanding opened a 60-day period for talks aimed at ending the war and reaching an accord on Iran's nuclear program. That period ended last week with no signs of compromise, especially on the crucial issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, vital to global shipping. The strait had been an open, international waterway before the war. Pezeshkian said his country can't attract investment in this stalled phase.