In an interview broadcast by US Fox News on Sept. 24, Iranian President
Pezeshkian said he met Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei about a month ago for
seven hours and described Khamenei as "very healthy" and fully capable of
governing, noting that policy guidance comes from him. Pezeshkian said Iran
prefers resolving disputes through dialogue and should avoid mutual slaughter,
but added that Iran was "forced into war" by Israeli provocation, does not want
the conflict to continue, and will respond strongly if the other side insists on
fighting; he said sustained pressure to force Iran to yield would be impossible.
