Pezeshkian says Iran’s retaliation does not mean dispute with neighboring states

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that his remarks had been “misinterpreted by the enemy” and insisted Iran still sought good relations with neighboring countries, even as retaliatory strikes continued, according to state TV.

Pezeshkian said Tehran had repeatedly made clear that it viewed neighboring states as brothers and wanted strong ties with them. But he said Iran was compelled to respond to attacks launched from another country’s territory, adding that such retaliation did not mean Tehran had a dispute with that country or wanted to upset its people.

He accused the “enemy” of trying to sow division between Iran and its neighbors.