‘Enemies Will Take Wish for Iran’s Surrender to Graves,’ Says Pezeshkian

Iran President Says Will Not Strike Neighbouring Countries Unless Provoked

Says Next Supreme Leader Be Chosen Through Constitutional Process, Without Foreign Interference

TEHRAN: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian made it clear that the neighbouring countries would not be targeted unless attacks originate from their territory during the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States.

“The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries,” Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on state television on Saturday.

In the same address, he apologised for attacks that had impacted neighbouring states during the conflict. “I apologise… to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” Pezeshkian said, reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to avoiding further escalation beyond its borders.

The council has been guiding Iran since US and Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week, triggering a broader Middle East war.

Separately, in a post on X. Iranian president said the Islamic Republic remained committed to maintaining friendly relations with regional countries based on good neighbourliness and respect for sovereignty.

Pezeshkian said that Iran had “consistently emphasized maintaining and strengthening friendly relations with regional governments on the basis of good neighbourliness and mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

However, he added that this stance did not undermine Iran’s right to defend itself. “This does not negate Iran’s inherent right to defend itself against military aggression by the United States and Israel,” Pezeshkian said.

Meanwhile, Iran confirmed that a new supreme leader will be chosen according to its constitutional process and “without any foreign interference,” as the war entered its second week amid uncertainty over when hostilities might end. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani emphasised that the decision would be made “solely by the will of the Iranian people.”

Pezeshkian said that his country will not surrender to Israel and the United States as the war entered its second week. “The enemies must take their wish for the surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” said Pezeshkian.

The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” and suggested that Washington should have a role in selecting the next Iranian leader. Trump’s remarks followed Pezeshkian’s social media statements indicating that unnamed countries had begun mediation efforts, briefly raising hopes of a diplomatic resolution.

 “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. “After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” he added.

The Trump administration is accelerating weapons production as stockpiles deplete.