Iranian president: Tehran will not surrender to bullies

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran did not initiate the war with the United States and Israel, insisting Iran is exercising its right to defend itself against attack.

Writing on X, Pezeshkian said protecting the country from military aggression was Iran’s “natural right which we are good at”.

He also warned regional states against allowing their territory to be used for attacks on Iran.

“Using the American bases against Iran in the region, with the purpose of disturbing our relations with our neighbours, should be stopped,” he wrote, adding that he raised the issue during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Pezeshkian said peace in the region could not be achieved while Iran faced ongoing attacks.

“Peace and stability in the region cannot be achieved while disregarding the Zionist-American invasion [of] our country. The Islamic Republic of Iran will not surrender to bullies.”

He also called for international condemnation of the invasion and said talk of ending the war was premature.

“Speaking of ending the war is meaningless until we ensure there will be no more attacks in our land in the future.”