Iran Vows Defiance After Khamenei’s Death, Apologises to Neighbours Over Regional Attacks

Iran has declared that its enemies will never force the country into surrender following the death of its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent military strikes.

Speaking in a televised address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said those hoping for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people would never see their wish fulfilled.

The statement comes after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, an operation that reportedly killed Khamenei and sparked a wider regional conflict.

Following the strikes, Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel as well as U.S. interests across several countries in the Gulf region.

Pezeshkian, who is currently serving as one of the three members of Iran’s interim leadership council following Khamenei’s death, also used the speech to address neighbouring countries affected by Iran’s military response.

He apologised to nations in the region that were struck during the retaliatory attacks and assured them that Iran would avoid targeting neighbouring states unless attacks against Iran originated from their territories.

According to him, the interim leadership council had agreed that Iran would halt further strikes on neighbouring countries and would only launch missiles if those countries were directly involved in attacks against Iran.