Iranian President Issues Urgent Appeal to Middle Eastern Leaders

President Masud Pezeshkian has addressed regional leaders following the sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East, publishing his statement on X.

"Dear leaders of our friendly and neighboring nations, we sought to avoid war through your assistance and diplomacy," Pezeshkian stated. "However, the American-Zionist military aggression has left us with no choice but to defend ourselves."

The President emphasized that Iran respects the sovereignty of its neighbors and believes that regional security must be maintained by the Middle Eastern states themselves. This follows his March 1st warning that enemy military bases and capabilities would be dismantled, alongside a call for Iranian citizens to unite against external threats.

This escalation comes after the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, a move Donald Trump attributed to Tehran’s refusal to halt its nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes against Israeli territory and U.S. military bases across the region.