Iran president says ready to resolve issues 'at negotiating table': 'Will respect ceasefire if Israel does'

Iran's army officers attend a meeting in Zolfaghar central headquarters, Iran. (AP image)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that the country is ready to resolve issues 'at negotiating table'. However, he added that Israel and the United States "cannot impose unjust aspirations by force", as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel took hold after 12 days of fighting.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran was forced into the military conflict to defend itself, and I hope that we will never be forced to fight again," Pezeshkian said during a phone call with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, according to the official IRNA news agency.

The Iranian President also said that the country will respect a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump provided that Israel also upholds its terms.

"If the Zionist regime does not violate the ceasefire, Iran will not violate it either," Pezeshkian said during a phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to the presidency's website.

He said that his country was not seeking nuclear weapons but will continue to defend its "legitimate rights" as a ceasefire took hold with Israel.

"We expect you to explain to them, in your dealings with the United States, that the Islamic Republic of Iran is only seeking to assert its legitimate rights," Pezeshkian said during a phone call with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, according to the official IRNA news agency.

The Israeli government said it had achieved all its objectives in the war with Iran, and that it had agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire after removing the "dual existential threat" of Tehran's nuclear programme and ballistic missiles.

Israel nonetheless warned it would "respond forcefully" to any Iranian violation, with its military later saying it had been ordered "to maintain a high level of alertness".

Iran's top security body previously said the Islamic republic's forces had "compelled" Israel to "unilaterally" stand down.

(With AFP inputs)