Iran’s president vows to respond to attacks originating from any country, calls neighbors ‘brothers’

ANKARA

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Sunday to respond to US-Israeli attacks launched from any country, stressing that his country views its neighbors as "brothers.”

In statements carried by the state-run Press TV during a visit to a health center, Pezeshkian said his remarks on Saturday in which he apologized for attacks on neighboring countries “have been misinterpreted.”

“We stand strongly against and respond powerfully to those who attack our country. Certainly, our armed forces and volunteer Basij forces, who are present across the country, will defend the country will all their might,” Pezeshkian said.

“Iran will not bow down to bullying, oppression and aggression.”

The Iranian president called on Iran and its neighbors “to resolve their differences domestically in defiance of efforts by the enemies to drag them to a war and sow discord among them.”

More than 1,200 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials, have been killed in US-Israeli attacks on Iran since Feb. 28.

Tehran retaliated by launching drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf nations that are home to US military assets.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.