Iran Vows No Surrender to Israel and United States, Apologizes to Neighbors

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that Iran will not surrender to Israel or the United States. He apologized to neighboring countries for Iran’s strikes and said no further attacks would occur unless provoked.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant message on Saturday, stating that Iran would never surrender to its primary adversaries, Israel and the United States, as the war between the nations entered its second week. In a televised address broadcast across the country, Pezeshkian underscored Iran’s determination to resist foreign pressure, declaring that the Iranian people would not bow to external threats, military attacks, or political coercion.
He warned that Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” signaling a firm stance against any attempts to destabilize the country or undermine its sovereignty. His comments came amid heightened tensions following a series of strikes and counter-strikes in the region, which have escalated fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
The current hostilities erupted after Israel and the United States conducted coordinated military operations against Iran on February 28. These strikes resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, a development that dramatically shifted the regional balance of power and intensified military confrontations in the Gulf and surrounding areas. In the days following Khamenei’s death, Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli territory as well as US military installations and interests in regional countries, particularly in the strategic Persian Gulf.
Pezeshkian currently serves as one of three members of an interim leadership council, which assumed political and military control of Iran after Khamenei’s death. The council has been responsible for coordinating both Iran’s domestic governance and its foreign military response, while maintaining the country’s strategic posture amid rapidly evolving regional threats. His address highlighted the council’s role in managing Iran’s military operations and diplomatic engagement with neighboring states.
During the speech, Pezeshkian also addressed concerns from neighboring countries that had been inadvertently affected by Iran’s retaliatory strikes. He issued a formal apology to governments whose territories were impacted, emphasizing that Iran had no intention of targeting countries that were not directly involved in hostilities. “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” Pezeshkian said, acknowledging the unintended consequences of Iran’s military actions and expressing a desire to maintain regional stability.
He further explained that the interim leadership council had recently agreed to restrict Iran’s military operations, stating that no further attacks would be carried out against neighboring countries unless those nations were used as bases for operations against Iran. “The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries,” he said.
The president’s remarks appeared aimed at multiple audiences: domestically, to reassure the Iranian population of the leadership’s resolve and unity; regionally, to calm neighboring states anxious about Iran’s military escalation; and internationally, to send a clear signal to Israel and the United States that Iran would not submit under pressure, while also attempting to frame its retaliatory actions as defensive rather than aggressive. Analysts note that the situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation if any party perceives an existential threat, making diplomatic engagement and regional communication more crucial than ever.
Iran’s declaration of restraint toward neighboring countries comes amid growing concern from global powers over the risk of a wider regional war, which could affect energy markets, international shipping routes, and broader geopolitical stability. Pezeshkian’s speech reflects Tehran’s attempt to project both strength and caution: a commitment to resist foreign adversaries while avoiding direct confrontation with nations not involved in the conflict.
The ongoing crisis has already disrupted security in the Gulf region and has drawn international attention, prompting calls for dialogue and de-escalation from major world powers. However, with military engagements continuing and diplomatic channels strained, the trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain, and the statements from Iran’s interim leadership council indicate that the country is preparing to defend its interests while navigating a highly complex regional environment.