Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told neighbouring Gulf countries that Iran had “no choice” but to respond to US and Israeli attacks, the BBC reports.
After the US and Israel launched a campaign of strikes on Iran on 28 February, Iran has responded by firing hundreds of missiles and drones at its Arab neighbours.
This has included targeting US military bases and civilian and energy infrastructure in Gulf states – including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said the neighbouring countries that Iran has strived “with your assistance” to avoid a war.
But, he added, that the US-Israel attacks left Iran with “no choice but to defend ourselves.”
The Iranian president said he respects the sovereignty of his neighbours and that he believes peace in the region “must be ensured by the countries of the region.”
