President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Sunday that Iran does not seek war with Israel but is prepared to deliver “an appropriate response” to recent air strikes on Iranian military sites.
During a cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s commitment to defending its national rights and indicated that the country would respond to what he described as the “aggression of the Zionist regime.” This statement follows Israeli air strikes on military sites in Iran, which were in retaliation for an October 1 attack on Israel linked to Iranian-backed militant groups.
Pezeshkian attributed the escalating regional tensions to Israel’s actions and the support it receives from the United States, which Iran does not recognize. He cautioned that continued aggression from Israel could lead to further tensions in the region.
Additionally, he criticized the U.S. for failing to uphold its promise to end hostilities in exchange for Iran’s restraint. Iran has called for an end to the ongoing Gaza conflict, which was ignited by an attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 last year. The country also supports various armed groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has been engaged in significant conflict with Israeli forces recently.
