Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran does not seek war, but it will not accept any compromise on its sovereignty and national dignity. He emphasized that Iranian national sovereignty remains a fundamental priority and that threats or pressure cannot force the country to surrender its principles.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s passing, Masoud Pezeshkian said that a prolonged war is not in Iran’s interest. However, he warned that if Iran is attacked, the country will never lay down its arms. He added that Iran’s adversaries dream of forcing the nation to submit to external aggression, but such expectations would never become reality.
The Iranian president said the region is currently trapped in an uncertain situation where neither full-scale war nor lasting peace exists. He stressed that his government is committed to ending diplomatic deadlock while preserving national sovereignty. According to Pezeshkian, Iran remains determined to pursue diplomacy without compromising its core national interests.
Masoud Pezeshkian also highlighted the importance of domestic unity and national cohesion. He said Iran’s enemies hope to create divisions within the country in order to achieve their objectives, but national solidarity will prevent such efforts from succeeding. He further claimed that attempts to unite Arab states against Iran had failed due to what he described as the Iranian leadership’s effective and wise diplomacy.
The president argued that no nation can be forced into surrender through air strikes and bombardment alone. Referring to the conflict in Gaza, he said years of military pressure had failed to force Gaza into submission and questioned how anyone could expect Iran to surrender under similar circumstances. Pezeshkian also revealed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had given the government clear authorization to advance negotiations and seek solutions through dialogue. He reaffirmed that Iranian national sovereignty and national dignity would remain non-negotiable under any circumstances.