Iranian President M. Pezeshkian declared that Iran will retaliate against any aggressor utilizing a neighboring country to attack its territory. He emphasized that this response would not imply any desire to escalate conflicts with that country, but rather a necessary defense of Iran's sovereignty. This announcement follows a recent wave of strikes by Israel and the United States against Iranian targets, exacerbating tensions in the region.

On Saturday, President Pezeshkian extended apologies to neighboring countries hosting US military bases for the attacks that have occurred on their territories. He reinforced Iran's determination to resist the influences of Israel and the United States, especially as the conflict has reached its second week. His comments reflect a strong stance against foreign pressure and an appeal to national pride among Iranians, framing resistance as a matter of survival.

The regional conflict has escalated significantly since the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, leading to the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has conducted drone and missile strikes against Israeli and US interests in several countries in the region, particularly across the Persian Gulf, indicating a potential for sustained military engagement and highlighting the complexities of security dynamics in the Middle East.