Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Tehran has no intention of escalating tensions in the region, while pledging that Iran would use all available means to safeguard its national security and interests.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek to escalate tensions or instability in the region. However, it will act with its full capabilities to defend the country's security, national interests, and territorial integrity,” Pezeshkian said in statements carried by Press TV.
Tensions have escalated across the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February, triggering retaliatory strikes by Tehran targeting several countries across the region.
The US and Iran agreed to a cease-fire in April and subsequently signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending their military conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement. The deal, however, collapsed last month with the U.S. and Iran exchanging attacks for nearly two weeks.
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he canceled a planned military strike against Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries requested time to finalize the framework of a peace deal, saying Israel has joined the commitment.
