Respect the Sovereignty of Neighboring Countries, Iranian President: US-Zionist Aggression Does Not Give Us Any Choice

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (Instagram @drmasoudpezeshkian)

JAKARTA - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian gave a message of respect to the heads of state of neighboring countries in the Middle East affected by Iran's response to the US-Israeli attack.

He said Iran did not intend to start a war but that various diplomatic efforts that had been made were instead answered by the US-Israel with military operations that destroyed and killed the supreme leader of Iran who had been in power since 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Your Majesty, the heads of state of friendly and neighboring countries. We have tried, through diplomacy, to prevent war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has given us no other choice but to defend ourselves," Pezeshkian said via his X account, @drpezeshkian, Wednesday, March 4.

Your Majesties, the heads of friendly and neighboring countries, we have sought with you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves. We respect your sovereignty, and believe that the security and stability of the region must be achieved by the combined efforts of its countries.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 4, 2026

Pezeshkian said Iran respects the sovereignty of its neighboring countries, especially those inhabited by US-Israeli military bases and assets.

He emphasized that Iran's retaliatory attacks only targeted Western assets that could potentially increase his country's losses and have the potential to invade other countries.

"We respect your sovereignty and believe that security and stability in the region must be achieved through the collective efforts of countries in the region," said Pezeshkian.