US-Zionist Aggression Left No Choice To Iran But Defence - Pezeshkian

TEHRAN, March 5 (Bernama-MNA) -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has written a message to heads of state of neighbouring and friendly countries, saying that Iran had no choice but to defend itself against US-Israeli aggression, the Mehr News Agency (MNA) reported.

In a message posted on his X account on Wednesday, Pezeshkian wrote, "To the heads of state of neighbouring and friendly countries, we tried diplomacy in cooperation with you to avoid war but the US-Zionist attack left no choice for us but defence."

"We respect your sovereignty and still believe in peace in the region achieved through the countries in it," he highlighted.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says that Iran does not target its neighbours but it attacks the US bases in the region. 

Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya News Network on Thursday, Baghaei emphasised that Iran has fallen victim to an illegal attack by the US and Israeli regime.

The recent movements of Iran in the region are to defend itself, he said, adding that Iran has no enmity or hostility with neighbouring countries and also has no intention of attacking these countries.

Baghaei emphasised that Iran is attacking US bases in the region, and that the country respects the sovereignty of all neighbouring states. 

The armed forces of the country are precisely targeting the US bases in the region, the foreign ministry spokesman highlighted. 

He went on to say that Iran has stretched its hand of friendship towards neighbouring countries in the region and also to all Islamic states. 

What is happening in the region is Iran’s defence of itself under Article 51 of international law and the UN Charter.

The US and Israeli regime launched an attack against Iran on Saturday (Feb 28) which led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and civilians. 

-- BERNAMA-MNA