Iran president walks back apology, vows response to attacks from any country

2026-03-08 - 11:43

TEHRAN — Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Sunday that Iran will respond to US-Israeli attacks launched from any country, while stressing that Tehran considers its neighboring states “brothers.”In remarks carried by the state-run Press TV during a visit to a health center, Pezeshkian said his comments on Saturday apologizing for attacks on neighboring countries had been misinterpreted.“We stand strongly against and respond powerfully to those who attack our country. Certainly, our armed forces and volunteer Basij forces, who are present across the country, will defend the country with all their might,” he said.“Iran will not bow down to bullying, oppression and aggression,” the president added.Pezeshkian also called on Iran and its neighbors to resolve their differences domestically and resist what he described as attempts by enemies to drag them into war and create divisions.More than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military officials, have been killed in US-Israeli attacks on Iran since Feb. 28.Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries.