In comments on Sunday, President Pezeshkian warned that if any country attacks or violates Iran’s territory, the Islamic Republic will be forced to respond.
He noted that responding to such aggression does not mean Iran has disputes with that country or intends to upset its people, but rather that it is obliged to react. The president added that the greater the pressure placed on Iranian territory, the stronger Iran’s response will be.
Pezeshkian stated that the enemy had held misguided assumptions about his remarks, saying hostile actors seek to push Iran and neighboring countries into conflict and aim to create divisions between them and other nations.
He emphasized that Iran has repeatedly declared--based on the guidance of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei--that it considers neighboring countries to be brothers and that relations with them must remain strong.
The president also expressed concern for the people in regional countries who have been troubled by the tensions, noting that Iran has been concerned for them and has apologized to them. He stressed that Iran regards the countries of the region as friends and brothers and said they must work together and join hands to prevent regional states from confronting each other due to deception by the United States and the Israeli regime.
Pezeshkian added that although there are individuals inside and around the country who have problems with Iran, now is not the time to raise such differences, and any disputes should be resolved among themselves.
The president added that Iran will stand firmly against anyone who attacks the country and will respond with strength. He stated that Iran’s Armed Forces and Basij units are present throughout the country and will defend the nation with all their might, adding that they will certainly disrupt the plans devised against Iran.
He reiterated that Iran has not bowed—and will not bow—to bullying, injustice, and aggression.
The US and Zionist regime have launched a deadly military campaign against Iran following the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei as well as senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
The campaign has involved extensive strikes that have targeted military and civilian areas, resulting in significant casualties and damage.
The Iranian Armed Forces have carried out harsh retaliatory strikes, hitting the US and Israeli targets in the occupied territories and the regional countries with a barrage of missiles and drones.