We Did Not Start the War; US, Israel Did, Says Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President’s Statement
Mian Nadeem
Published September 13, 2026 | 08:51 PM
If European countries can jointly establish rules for their security and trade, why can’t we? asked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview.
"We did not start the war; the United States and Israel did. We are defending ourselves in this war." — Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian President
In an interview with an Indian television channel, Pezeshkian stated:
- Iran does not desire war.
- The United States entered the region.
- Iran’s Supreme Leader is alive.
He further elaborated:
- Iran has no issues with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or any other regional country, describing them as brothers.
- Iran objects to US military bases in regional countries, from where attacks on Iran are launched.
- The United States should not allow attacks on Iran from the territories of friendly neighboring countries.
"We want friendly relations with all countries in the region, but the United States does not want this to happen." — Masoud Pezeshkian
Pezeshkian accused the United States of wanting to use the region’s petroleum reserves for itself and undermining regional peace and stability by selling its weapons and missiles.
He acknowledged Pakistan as a friendly neighboring country that had significantly contributed to peace and noted that Qatar had also extended assistance. He questioned Islamabad‘s demand for renewed negotiations after the memorandum of understanding.
"The United States had killed a leader who lived in the hearts of the Iranian people, and whose death could never be forgotten." — Masoud Pezeshkian
Pezeshkian affirmed that Iran is not at war with Saudi Arabia and that the Houthis have their own issues. He posed a question:
"If European countries can jointly make rules for their security and trade, why cannot we?"
He also stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader is alive and continues to play his role within the system as before. The enemy, he said, has failed to trace his location, leading to various speculations. Pezeshkian added that the enemy also desires to harm Iran’s new Supreme Leader.
