Muhammad Amanullah | September 8, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has made clear that Iran does not seek war but will not back down from defending itself and protecting its national interests if subjected to aggression.
In a firm message directed at the United States and other opposing forces, Pezeshkian said Iran had consistently pursued a policy of avoiding war but would not remain silent in the face of any aggression.
He said avoiding conflict was necessary in the interests of the Iranian people and regional security, but when a country comes under attack, defending itself becomes both a right and a responsibility.
Pezeshkian expressed the position in a statement posted on the social media platform X. He said Iran did not want war but possessed both the capability and determination to respond to aggression against it.
Iran Does Not Seek to Start a Conflict
In his statement, the Iranian president stressed that Iran had consistently opposed war.
According to Pezeshkian, the Iranian government considers it necessary to avoid initiating any conflict while taking into account the interests of its people and peace and security in the region.
He said war creates difficulties for the people of any country and that its consequences are not confined to the battlefield.
For this reason, Iran prefers the path of peace and stability rather than further escalation, he said.
At the same time, Pezeshkian made clear that avoiding war did not mean Iran would abandon its responsibility to protect its security and national interests.
Iran Vows to Respond to Aggression
Pezeshkian said Iran had defended itself against aggression in the past and would continue to resist with the same determination.
According to the Iranian president, his country would continue to protect the rights of its people and would not surrender those rights as a result of external pressure or aggression.
He also warned those responsible for aggression against Iran, saying the country would continue its resistance until the aggressors fully regretted their actions.
The statement comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have entered a particularly sensitive phase.
Differences between the two countries have already contributed to uncertainty across the region, while any further military action could make the situation even more complicated.
Protection of National Interests a Priority
The Iranian president also placed strong emphasis on protecting national interests.
He said Iran had no intention of starting a war against another country but would not hesitate to take necessary measures to defend its territory and people.
According to Pezeshkian, Iran’s policy is fundamentally focused on protecting the interests of its people and ensuring security in the region.
For this reason, Tehran wants to avoid initiating conflict but remains prepared to defend itself if aggression is imposed upon it.
Pezeshkian’s position reflects both a desire to avoid war and a firm commitment to self-defence. While he stressed that Iran would not initiate a conflict, he simultaneously made clear that the country would continue resisting any aggression against it.
A Clear Message to the United States
Pezeshkian’s statement can also be seen as a direct message to Washington.
The Iranian president said Iran did not want war but was not prepared to surrender in the face of pressure or aggression.
Iran has long rejected US pressure and sanctions. In the current circumstances, the Iranian leadership’s emphasis on national defence and resistance indicates that Tehran does not intend to abandon its core position despite potential external pressure.
Pezeshkian did not specify what particular steps Iran might take in the future. However, his statement made clear that Tehran would not hesitate to exercise what it considers its right to self-defence.
Reference to Regional Security
Pezeshkian’s remarks were not limited to Iran’s own interests. He also highlighted the importance of regional security.
He said Iran considered avoiding conflict essential for protecting the interests of its people and maintaining security across the region.
The Middle East is already facing multiple conflicts and heightened tensions. Any further deterioration in relations between Iran and the United States could therefore have wider implications for regional stability.
By referring to regional security, the Iranian president appeared to frame Tehran’s position not merely as a bilateral dispute with Washington but also as an issue connected to broader peace and stability in the Middle East.
War Avoided, Resistance to Continue
The central message of Pezeshkian’s statement is that Iran does not want to initiate a war but will continue resisting if a conflict is imposed upon it.
The Iranian president said his country would continue to protect the rights of its people and stand firmly against aggression.
According to Pezeshkian, Iran’s defensive position would not change as a result of external pressure.
His statement is significant amid the current tensions because it leaves the door open to avoiding further conflict while simultaneously reaffirming Iran’s determination to defend itself.
Prospects for Reducing Tensions
Pezeshkian’s emphasis on avoiding war could be viewed as an indication that Tehran does not want further escalation in the region.
However, his simultaneous pledge to continue resistance also makes clear that Iran is not signalling any immediate change in its defensive position.
Iran maintains that protecting the interests of its people and safeguarding national security remain among its highest priorities.
On that basis, Tehran says it wants to avoid initiating conflict but considers responding to aggression its right.
Through his latest statement, Pezeshkian has sent a clear message to the United States and other opposing forces: Iran does not seek war, but it will not retreat from resistance in the face of pressure or aggression. The Iranian president said the protection of the rights of the Iranian people and the country’s national interests would continue under all circumstances.
