Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an end to the months long war with the United States, saying Tehran should seek peace while it remains in what he described as a position of power and dignity.

Pezeshkian said Iran should not wait for conditions to become more difficult before seeking an end to the conflict. He argued that the country had managed to withstand the pressure of the United States and its allies and that the international community had recognised what he described as Iran's success during the war.

The comments came as pressure on Iran continues to grow. The United States has announced plans for a much tougher economic campaign against Tehran, moving its focus increasingly towards sanctions and restrictions on Iran's ability to earn money from oil exports.

Pezeshkian's remarks appear to reflect an effort by the Iranian government to keep the door open for negotiations while avoiding the impression that Tehran is seeking peace because it has been defeated. His message was that Iran should end the war on its own terms and from a position that allows the government to claim that it has protected the country's interests.

The situation, however, remains extremely difficult. The two sides have not reached a permanent agreement and major differences remain over Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions, security guarantees and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait has become one of the most important pressure points in the conflict. Before the war, it carried a large share of the world's oil and gas shipments. But shipping activity has fallen sharply as the conflict has continued and vessels have become increasingly reluctant to use the route.

On Thursday, only seven commodity ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data, compared with 14 the previous day. There were no large crude oil carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers among the vessels recorded that day. The decline has raised further concerns about global energy supplies and the possible impact on fuel prices.

The disruption is also hurting Iran itself. Iranian oil exports have fallen significantly, with shipments reported at around 534,000 barrels per day in August compared with an average of about 1.4 million barrels per day last year. China remains Iran's most important buyer, but Iranian oil offers to Chinese refiners have also declined as American pressure increases.

The economic consequences are becoming increasingly visible inside Iran. Families are facing higher prices, declining purchasing power and growing difficulty in paying for basic goods. Inflation and currency weakness have added to the pressure, while the continuing war has damaged businesses and reduced economic activity.

For Pezeshkian's government, this creates a difficult balance. Ending the war could help prevent further economic damage, but Tehran also wants to make sure that any agreement does not appear to be a surrender to Washington.

The United States, meanwhile, is demanding significant changes from Iran. Washington wants stronger restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme and has linked the easing of pressure to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. American officials have also threatened some of the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Tehran.

Iran has rejected the new American pressure and warned that further economic measures could lead to a serious response. The Iranian leadership has repeatedly argued that Washington cannot force Tehran to accept an agreement through economic pressure alone.

The situation has therefore entered a sensitive stage. Both sides appear to have reasons to avoid a prolonged conflict, but neither wants to make the first major concession.

Pezeshkian's latest comments could provide an opportunity for diplomacy if the United States responds positively. His call to end the war suggests that Tehran is still interested in a negotiated settlement despite the continuing confrontation.

However, there is no clear sign yet that a final peace agreement is close. The most difficult issues remain unresolved, particularly the nuclear programme, sanctions, oil exports and the Strait of Hormuz.

For ordinary people in Iran and across the wider region, the priority is increasingly simple. They want the fighting to stop and economic life to return to normal.

Pezeshkian is now arguing that Iran should bring the war to an end while it still has leverage. Whether Washington accepts that approach will determine whether his latest statement becomes the beginning of serious negotiations or simply another moment in an increasingly tense confrontation.