Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent out a strong message to those propagating international mediation efforts, saying that countries seeking to broker a ceasefire should put the pressure on those who started the conflict.
Acknowledging that many countries had started mediation attempts, Pezeshkian said Tehran’s position was unambiguous as they did not start the war.
“We are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we have no hesitation in defending the d
ignity and authority of our country. The target of mediation should be those who started the fire by underestimating the Iranian people,” Iran’s President wrote on X.
Pezeshkian didn’t identify which countries had approached Tehran with mediation offers, neither did he name the countries responsible for initiating the conflict. But he left no room for doubt that Iran will not restrain its own military, and wants international pressure directed toward the United States and Israel.
Joint strikes carried out by the US and Israel on February 28 triggered the crisis after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many other leaders were killed in the targeted missile and drone attacks.
Iran responded with attacks on American military installations across the Gulf region.
Seven days into the war, there are no signs of the military conflict ending any time soon.