TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Iran reserves the right to respond to any hostile attack originating from any country, stressing that defending the country against aggression is its legitimate right.
According to Iranian media reports, the president said that if hostile forces launch attacks or intrusions against Iran from the territory of any country, Tehran would be compelled to respond.
He clarified that responding to such attacks does not necessarily mean Iran seeks to damage its relations with that country or its people.
President Pezeshkian described Iran as a friend and brother to the countries of the region and called for collective efforts to counter what he described as dangerous conspiracies by the United States and Israel.
He emphasized that Iran and neighbouring countries should resolve their differences through internal dialogue and prevent outside forces from pushing them toward conflict.
The Iranian president also said that Iran’s armed forces and volunteer units were fully prepared to defend the country.
“Our nation will never bow to pressure, oppression or aggression,” he said.
Pezeshkian also apologized to people in the region who have been affected by the current tensions and stressed that Iranians, regardless of political differences, would remain united against external threats and would not allow even “an inch” of their territory to be taken.
He further accused the United States and Israel of carrying out what he described as an illegal act of aggression against Iran on February 28, which he said resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and violated Iran’s sovereignty.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have been killed in the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.
Iran has responded by launching missile and drone strikes targeting areas under Israeli control as well as United States military installations in the region, Iranian media reported.