Iran president says world accepts Iran won war as France and Saudi Arabia seek routes around Strait of Hormuz
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the world has recognized Iran as the winner of its war with the United States, while France and Saudi Arabia prepare to discuss alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the U.S. and Israel began military operations against Iran nearly six months ago.
Pezeshkian said Friday that the conflict should come to an end because, in his view, Iran has already achieved victory by maintaining control of the strategic waterway and refusing to meet U.S. demands. He also claimed that the international community had accepted Iran's position and that the United States was widely opposed.
His comments came as the Trump administration intensified economic pressure on Tehran. President Donald Trump has pledged what he described as an unprecedented campaign of economic warfare and isolation designed to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international oil and natural gas shipments.
The strait is a critical global energy route, and its disruption has raised concerns about energy supplies and transportation costs worldwide.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack appeared to diverge from the administration's position on the Golan Heights during an interview Friday. Barrack said Israel still occupies the territory in violation of U.N. resolutions.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 war and formally annexed the territory in 1981. The United Nations continues to regard the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory and considers Israel's annexation invalid under international law.
Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019, breaking with decades of U.S. policy. The decision did not alter the territory's status under international law or lead to broad international recognition. Colombia became the second country to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the territory this month.
Barrack's remarks drew criticism from conservative activist Laura Loomer, who called for his resignation and accused him of failing to understand U.S. foreign policy.
Elsewhere, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to discuss ways to reduce the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure during the Saudi leader's visit to Paris beginning Sunday.
The two countries are considering expanding trade through Omani ports outside the Persian Gulf, increasing pipeline capacity in Saudi Arabia and other locations, and developing additional rail connections to create alternative transportation routes between the Middle East and Europe.
France and Saudi Arabia have established a joint task force focused on energy and logistics links between the regions. The group is scheduled to hold a ministerial-level meeting Monday to identify priority projects, arrange financing and determine the role of French companies.
The visit will mark Mohammed bin Salman's first trip abroad since his visit to Washington in November 2025.
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