Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Monday that his country “does not seek war,” while affirming at the same time that it “will respond firmly to any aggression targeting it.”

Iranian television quoted Pezeshkian as saying, shortly before leaving Tehran for Kyrgyzstan to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit: “We do not seek war, and this is a clear message we have conveyed to the world so far.”

The Iranian president stressed his country’s defensive position, saying: “But we will never stand idly by in the face of any aggression, and we will respond firmly to the aggressors.”

Pezeshkian warned of the repercussions of escalation in the region, stressing that “instability and turmoil in the region serve the interests of none of its countries, as they will place everyone before challenges.”

The Iranian president’s remarks came after Washington carried out attacks on Lark Island in southern Iran on Sunday evening, which resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries.

Today, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that “Tehran will respond firmly and in an appropriate manner to any military aggression,” holding Washington and the parties colluding with it responsible for the consequences of the US aggressive actions and the continuation of the blockade.