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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Sunday that Iran does not desire conflict with Israel but is prepared to respond “appropriately” to recent strikes on Iranian military sites.
“We are not seeking war, but we will protect our nation’s rights,” Pezeshkian stated during a cabinet meeting, emphasizing Iran’s commitment to counter what he called the “aggression of the Zionist regime.”
The comments followed Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets on Saturday. These strikes were in retaliation for an October 1 Iranian attack on Israel, which had itself responded to the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander.
Israel has cautioned Tehran against taking further action.
Pezeshkian attributed the rise in regional tensions to what he labeled as Israeli “aggression” backed by U.S. support, reiterating that Iran does not recognize Israel.
“If the Zionist regime’s aggressions and crimes persist, these tensions could escalate,” Pezeshkian warned.
He further mentioned that the United States had assured Iran it would work to end the conflict if Iran exercised restraint, a commitment Pezeshkian claimed was not upheld.
Iran has called for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which erupted after an October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, a Palestinian group supported by Tehran.
In addition, Iran provides backing to other regional groups, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which has recently intensified its conflict with Israeli forces following a period of lower-intensity skirmishes.
