Pezeshkian: Iran determined to defend itself against US-Israel aggression
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is not seeking to expand the ongoing aggression against Iran in the region but will firmly defend its national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
He made the remarks in separate phone calls with his Azerbaijani and Finish counterparts on Thursday.
Pezeshkian said that Iran’s attacks on US military bases in regional countries are a response to the enemy’s use of these countries’ territories and facilities to carry out attacks on Iran.
President Pezeshkian in his conversation with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb referred to the heavy costs that the US-Israeli aggression has imposed on the Iranian people, saying that the consequences of the “unlawful” war are not limited to Iran or the region but the entire world has forced to pay the price for their actions.
The Iranian president said the aggressors have targeted the international law and the rule of law in the world – the actions that require a decisive response from all governments.
Europe’s stance
“While a few European countries have taken a responsible stance, many others have adopted a passive and even biased approach toward this aggression and the crimes committed, including the massacre of children and attacks on Iran's infrastructure, which is by no means acceptable,” Pezeshkian said.
During his talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Iranian president reiterated Iran’s unwavering resolve to defend itself against the ongoing aggression.
Aliyev pointed to the consequences of the war for the region’s security and stability, expressing hope for the establishment of peace and security in the region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also emphasized Iran’s right to defend itself in the face of the ongoing “unjust war”, saying that Tehran is determined to strongly respond to US-Israeli aggression.
He made the remarks in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
Referring to the aggression against Iran which began on February 28, Baqaei said, “We’ve had a similar experience” in June when the US and Israel launched an unprovoked aggression against Iran amid nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington and after 12 days they called for a ceasefire.
After nine months, they once again launched strikes on Iran amid new talks on Iran’s nuclear program, he added.
‘Vicious cycle of war, talks, ceasefire’
“So we won’t tolerate this vicious cycle of war, negotiations, ceasefire and then the repeat of the same pattern. It is catastrophic not only for Iran but for the entire region and the world. You now see its consequences in many countries around the world.” Baqaei said.