Pezeshkian tells Modi: Iran not seeking war, fighting 'savage' US-Israeli aggression

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek war but is exercising its right to self-defense in the face of "savage" US-Israeli aggression during a late Thursday phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid continued US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran which started on February 28.

“President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran does not seek war but is exercising its right to self-defense in the face of "savage" US-Israeli aggression”

PressTV

He said Tehran "did not start the war and does not seek its continuation" and added that, "based on the right to self-defense, it is targeting US bases in the region that were the source of the attacks."

PressTV

Pezeshkian thanked the Indian government and people for their expressions of sympathy with Iranians and said Iran has always held India "in special regard as a friend and economic partner."

Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of carrying out a "savage" aggression that violated international rules and humanitarian law, and said the attacks resulted in the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and 168 schoolchildren in an attack on a school in the southern city of Minab.

He described the martyred leader as "the spiritual leader of Muslims worldwide" and said seeking justice for his blood "is the legitimate right of the Islamic Ummah."

PressTV

He also strongly condemned Israel's assassination of innocent civilians, calling it a clear example of "state terrorism."

Pezeshkian said Tehran remains committed to expanding cooperation with India and other friendly countries, particularly within frameworks such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and he underlined the importance of BRICS playing a more active role in safeguarding regional peace, stability and security.

“President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran does not seek war but is exercising its right to self-defense in the face of "savage" US-Israeli aggression”

PressTV

Modi voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions, affirmed "India is a friend of Iran," and said New Delhi will make every possible effort to support diplomatic efforts while warning that further escalation would benefit no party.

Modi expressed regret that the war erupted during the holy month of Ramadan and voiced hope that the upcoming Persian New Year, Nowruz, would usher in peace, calm and stability with disputes resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Press TV also included tweets noting the civilian toll rising as the US-Israeli aggression entered its 12th day and that the Iran Red Crescent said nearly 10,000 civilian units were destroyed in the attacks so far.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, briefing him on the latest consequences of the aggression and the crimes committed by the United States and the Zionist regime and their impact on regional and global security.

Araghchi emphasized the "firm determination of the Iranian government, people and armed forces to exercise their legitimate right of self-defense against aggressors," called for international and regional organizations to condemn the military aggression on Iran, and urged BRICS to play a constructive role in supporting regional and global stability.

PressTV

Jaishankar voiced India's readiness to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation in regional and international forums and stressed the importance of finding pathways to strengthen lasting stability and security, describing it as a "collective necessity."