The remarks come after US and Israel i strikes on February 28 that Iranian authorities and multiple media reports said killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a widening conflict across the Middle East. Iran has since launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and on US-linked interests in several regional countries, particularly in the Gulf.

Pezeshkian, who sits on a three-member interim leadership council formed after Khamenei’s death, also sought to reassure neighbouring states after Iranian strikes in the region. “I must apologise… to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said, adding that they would not be targeted unless attacks originated from their territory.

He said the interim council had agreed to halt strikes on neighbouring countries going forward. “No more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries, and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries,” he said.

Opening his remarks with reference to the June conflict between Iran and Israel, Khamenei acknowledged Iranian losses but framed them as part of the reality of war. “Yes, we have suffered losses, dear lives have been lost — there is no doubt about that. This is the nature of war… But the Islamic Republic has shown that the centre of will and power can make decisions and stand powerfully,” he stated.

Khamenei went on to accuse the United States of fuelling instability across the globe. “For the sake of oil and underground resources, they are willing to ignite wars anywhere in the world. Today, this warmongering has reached Latin America ,” he said, adding that Iran has no interest in aligning with governments backed by U.S. influence.

He further argued that U.S. policies were pushing Washington into deeper international isolation. “Even if the presidents of some countries flatter it, among nations, America becomes more hated day by day. Wherever it has intervened, it has led to warmongering, genocide, destruction or displacement,” he said.

Khamenei’s comments come months after U.S. airstrikes targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.