Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has underscored the need for a pragmatic approach to foreign relations, emphasizing that Iran cannot ignore its arch-foe, the United States, and must approach adversaries with "forbearance," state media reported Tuesday.

The Iranian President's remarks come as Donald Trump secures a US presidential election victory, casting new uncertainty on Iran-US relations. 

During a meeting with international political figures in Tehran, Pezeshkian expressed that Iran should independently manage its dealings with Washington, stressing, "Whether we like it or not, we will have to deal with the US in regional and international arenas, so it is better to manage this relation ourselves."

"We must treat our friends with generosity and handle our enemies with forbearance," Pezeshkian added.

He also highlighted Iran's strong ties with neighboring countries and mentioned successful recent meetings and agreements. The Iranian President shared that his country is currently negotiating with European nations, though he accused "the Zionist entity" of attempting to interfere and complicate this diplomatic course.

On the US front, Pezeshkian called for Iranian diplomats to manage negotiations with Washington without intermediaries, emphasizing the importance of Tehran directly overseeing its engagements.

An Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that Pezeshkian urged regional countries to intensify efforts to end Israeli crimes in the region.

In recent remarks, Pezeshkian commented on the "broad economic war" that he claims Iran faces from its adversaries, who aim to destabilize the country through economic pressures.

"We are not afraid of military conflict," he asserted, adding that "our enemies know they cannot bring Iran to its knees in this field."

Developing regional ties

Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke over the phone on Sunday evening, reviewing bilateral ties and expressing confidence in future collaboration between Tehran and Riyadh.

Due to the need to attend to "executive matters", Pezeshkian was unable to attend an impending joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit but said that Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref would represent Iran at the occasion.

He expressed optimism that the summit, led by MBS, "will have effective and tangible results in ending the crimes of the Zionist regime and the war and bloodshed in Gaza and Lebanon."

The Iranian President emphasized that both nations were determined to strengthen their ties, and he hoped for continued progress in their relationship.

In turn, MBS thanked Pezeshkian for the call, expressing his understanding of his absence from the meeting and wishing success to "our brothers in Iran."

He described the current moment as a "historic turning point" for Iran-Saudi relations and expressed optimism about taking their bilateral ties to the highest level, confirming plans for future talks with the Iranian Vice President and reiterating his invitation for Pezeshkian to visit Saudi Arabia.

In response, Pezeshkian invited bin Salman to visit Iran, to which the Saudi leader stated that it would be "an honor" to visit the Islamic Republic. 

This follows the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023, under an agreement brokered by China.

The two countries severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over the execution of cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Riyadh.

In October, Saudi Arabia announced it had conducted joint military exercises with Iran and other nations in the Sea of Oman.