WANA (Mar 07) – Masoud Pezeshkian stated in a message posted on social media that maintaining friendly relations with regional governments does not negate Iran’s inherent right to defend itself against military aggression.

 

In his message, the Iranian president wrote: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized the preservation and continuation of friendly relations with the governments of the region, based on good neighborliness and mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity. This, however, does not negate Iran’s inherent right to defend itself against the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime.

 

We will stand firm and resist to the last breath in defense of our country. Iran’s defensive operations are directed exclusively at targets and facilities that are the source and origin of aggressive actions against the Iranian nation, and we consider them legitimate targets.
We have not attacked our friendly and neighboring countries; rather, we have targeted U.S. military bases, installations, and facilities in the region.”