Iran's Pezeshkian accuses Israel of provoking 'wider regional conflict'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning on Monday, accusing Israel of trying to provoke a full-scale war in the Middle East by dragging Iran into its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Speaking to journalists upon his arrival in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran does not seek conflict, warning that such a war would have "irreversible consequences" for the region.

“We do not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East,” Pezeshkian said. “It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict.”

The Iranian president, known for his moderate stance, has maintained a firm position on supporting resistance movements in the region, including Hezbollah.

He reiterated Iran’s support for groups defending themselves, while also accusing the international community of remaining silent in the face of what he described as Israel’s "genocide" in Gaza.

Pezeshkian’s remarks come after Israel launched its most intense airstrikes on Hezbollah in nearly a year, escalating the conflict between the two sides.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in both Israel and Lebanon due to ongoing cross-border exchanges of fire.

While Israel has stated a preference for a diplomatic solution, including moving Hezbollah forces farther from its border, Hezbollah insists that the conflict in Gaza must end before any progress can be made in Lebanon.

Pezeshkian hinted at potential Iranian involvement in the conflict, though he did not provide details.

Pezeshkian, who succeeded his hardline predecessor after a fatal helicopter crash, took office with intentions of improving relations with the West.

However, tensions escalated quickly when the political chief of Hamas was assassinated in Tehran in a strike widely attributed to Israel.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who answer to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have pledged retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July, which Iran blames on Israel.

However, Pezeshkian indicated that any response would come “at the appropriate time and place.”

Referring to Western appeals for Iran to avoid retaliation to maintain US-led ceasefire efforts in Gaza, Pezeshkian remarked, "We tried not to respond. They kept assuring us that peace was within reach, perhaps in a week. But that peace never materialized. Every day, Israel commits more atrocities—killing the elderly, children, men, women, even targeting hospitals and other facilities," he said.

On September 23, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon killed 356 people, including 24 children, marking the deadliest day of cross-border violence since the Gaza war began.

Arab states condemned Israel for escalating tensions with Hezbollah.

The situation continues to deteriorate, with ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Gaza remaining stalled despite mediation efforts from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, echoed concerns about the growing instability, describing the situation as nearing a "full-fledged war" and calling on world leaders to act swiftly to de-escalate tensions.