President Pezeshkian Says Iran Doesn't Want War, But Will Respond To Israeli Action

JAKARTA - President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran does not want war and oppose it, but on the other hand also affirms Tehran's firmness in protecting its people will respond to Israeli actions.

"We don't want war, but we will defend our country and the rights of our people. We will give a proportional response to aggression by the Zionist regime," President Pezeshkian said at Sunday's cabinet meeting, a day after the Israeli regime launched an attack on Iran's military location., reported Tasnim October 28.

Israel launched attacks on a number of targets in Iran, including by deploying fighter jets, in retaliation for attacks carried out by Iran on October 1.

Four members of the Iranian armed forces died while defending the country's airspace. President Pezeshkian offered his condolences to their families and the armed forces, according to his official website.

President Pezeshkian also said the Zionist regime's crimes had been proven in the eyes of the world, adding that everyone around the world is now aware of supporters of the regime, apart from the United States, claiming to defend freedom and human rights, but remain silent over the killings of tens of thousands of women and children by the regime.

"If the Zionist regime continues its aggression and crimes, tensions will escalate," President Pezeshkian warned.

He added that the US provoked the Israeli regime to commit this crime, arguing that they had pledged to end the war in exchange for Iran's restraint, but they broke their promise.