Iran Will Never Surrender to Israel, US — President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, has declared that Tehran will never surrender to Israel or the United States as the Middle East war entered its second week.

In a prerecorded speech broadcast on state television on Saturday, Pezeshkian said calls for Iran’s unconditional surrender were a “dream they should take to their grave.”

In his address, the president also apologised to neighbouring countries affected by Iranian attacks across the region, saying they would not be targeted unless strikes were launched against Iran from their territory.

“I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said.

His remarks came as Iranian strikes targeted several Gulf states early Saturday, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran continued.

The conflict escalated after Israel and the United States launched strikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response, Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on Israel and US interests across the region, particularly in Gulf countries.

Pezeshkian is one of three members of an interim leadership council currently governing Iran following Khamenei’s death.