Iran Calls for Peace as US Plans Economic D-Day

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an end to the war with the United States on August 21, asserting that Tehran is in a position of power and dignity. Pezeshkian stated that negotiating does not constitute surrender and identified the primary goals of diplomacy as ending the war, lifting the naval blockade, releasing frozen assets, and resuming nuclear talks.

This diplomatic push follows the expiration of a 60-day negotiating period under a June 18 memorandum of understanding. The conflict, which began in February with US and Israeli bombing campaigns, has reached a stalemate involving Iran's partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a US naval counter-blockade. While Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi advocate for economic recovery, hardliners and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps favor continued fighting.

In response, US President Donald Trump reportedly ordered envoys to halt conversations with Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Economic D-Day, a campaign of intensified sanctions intended to isolate Iran and collapse the regime. Araghchi dismissed the plan as a diversion from America's own debt crisis. Meanwhile, the Iranian parliament is reviewing a plan to bar hostile and espionage vessels, including all Israeli ships, from the Strait of Hormuz.

China has criticized the US escalation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that sanctions and pressure will not resolve the issue, calling for diplomatic solutions ahead of President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit to the White House on September 24.