Portrait of Masoud Pezeshkian
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Masoud Pezeshkian on Israel

Mixed stance on conflict (strong)

TL;DR

Masoud Pezeshkian's position involves apologizing for regional strikes while asserting the right to retaliate against US and Israeli bases.

Key Points

  • He personally apologized to neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran in what he initially called "fire at will" operations, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

  • Pezeshkian later claimed his Saturday remarks were misinterpreted by the 'enemy that seeks to sow division with neighbours' following subsequent strikes.

  • He asserted that Iran will respond strongly if attacked, and that US and Israeli military bases in the region are considered primary targets if aggression continues.

Summary

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has communicated seemingly mixed messages regarding Iran's military actions in the Middle East, particularly concerning strikes that affect neighboring countries and the conflict with the United States and Israel. He publicly apologized to neighboring states that were struck by Iran's armed forces, stating that he did not intend to violate their territory and emphasizing that they are considered brothers. This initial conciliatory statement, which suggested a halt to strikes unless attacks originated from those neighbors' soil, was quickly followed by clarifications and counter-statements from other elements of the Iranian leadership.

Following his apology, Pezeshkian later clarified or walked back parts of his earlier remarks, attributing the initial comments to an enemy's desire to sow division and reiterating that Iran stands strong against those who attack it. His position appears to be one of seeking good relations with regional neighbors while maintaining the policy that Iran will respond strongly to aggression, specifically targeting US and Israeli military bases in the region if necessary. This duality reflects an internal dynamic where the President advocates for de-escalation with neighbors while the IRGC maintains a hardline stance against the US and Israel.

Key Quotes

"The temporary leadership council approved yesterday that neighboring countries should no longer be targeted and missiles should not be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries."

Frequently Asked Questions

Masoud Pezeshkian's administration has maintained the policy of responding forcefully to attacks originating from the region. He views US and Israeli military bases as legitimate targets for retaliation should aggression against Iran persist. His position is often framed within the broader context of national defense against external threats.

Yes, the President demonstrated a fluctuating stance regarding strikes on neighboring countries. He issued a public apology for recent attacks on neighbors but later clarified his comments, suggesting that Iran reserves the right to respond to attacks originating from those territories.

The President suggested that the United States and Israel are actively attempting to create rifts between Iran and its regional neighbors like Türkiye. He views the continuation of military action by the US and Israel as the catalyst for Iran's retaliatory strikes.