Iranian president urges countries not to allow ‘enemies to run the war’ from their territories

Says Iran seeks development and security, not war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday urged regional countries not to allow "enemies to run the war" from their territories if they "want development and security".

"We have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centres are targeted," Pezeshkian wrote on X.

We have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted.
To the countries of the region:
If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 28, 2026

Addressing the countries of the region, the Iranian president added: "If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands."

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Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since February 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,900 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.