Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country does not seek war but will respond firmly to any aggression against Iran.
Pezeshkian made the statement on Monday amid heightened tensions following a US strike on Iranian military targets.
“We do not seek war, and this is a clear message that we have so far conveyed to the world,” he said in a statement issued by his office.
“However, we will never sit still in the face of aggressions and will give a decisive response to aggressors.”
The Iranian president also warned against instability in the region, saying that continued unrest was in the interest of no country’s interest.
He urged regional countries to work towards strengthening security and promoting development.
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Pezeshkian’s remarks followed a statement by US Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins that American forces had struck two launchers on Iran’s southern Larak Island on Sunday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) subsequently said the attack killed or wounded some military personnel and civilians.
The IRGC vowed to retaliate, warning that the strike would be met with “punishment for the aggressor.”
