Tehran (Web Desk): Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Tehran has no intention of heightening tensions in the Middle East, while making it clear that the country is fully prepared to safeguard its security, national interests and territorial sovereignty if threatened.
In remarks reported by Iran's state media, Pezeshkian stated that the Islamic Republic is not seeking confrontation or greater instability across the region.
President @drpezeshkian: We will protect our territorial integrity, yet we have no intention of widening the conflict. We must work to forge a society that offers the enemy no temptation to interfere, no opening to infiltrate, and no means to divide or dismantle us. pic.twitter.com/WBm9Hz8R8l
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) August 4, 2026
However, he stressed that Iran would use all resources at its disposal to defend the country's security, territorial integrity and national interests whenever required.
The Middle East has remained on edge since the United States and Israel launched military attacks on Iran in February, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes targeting several countries in the region.
Although Washington and Tehran reached a ceasefire in April and later signed a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding in June to end hostilities and work toward a lasting peace agreement, the arrangement fell apart last month after both sides exchanged attacks for nearly two weeks.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump disclosed that he had withdrawn plans for a military strike on Iran after Tehran and several regional countries requested additional time to complete the framework of a peace agreement. He also said that Israel had agreed to support the commitment.
Separately, Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation with newly elected Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, during which they discussed the latest developments concerning the Palestinian territories, including the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
According to a Hamas statement, the Iranian president reaffirmed Tehran's continued backing for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.
He also congratulated Hayya on assuming the leadership of Hamas and welcomed the continuation of direct communication between the two sides.
On July 20, Hamas announced that Hayya had been chosen as the movement's new chief, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, who was killed during clashes with Israeli forces in southern Gaza in October 2024.
The statement added that Hayya reaffirmed the Palestinian people's determination to pursue what he described as their full rights through legitimate means.
He also expressed hope that attacks on Iran would come to an end and that security and stability would be restored throughout the region.
The phone call came a day after the Board of Peace published a draft agreement outlining the guiding principles and implementation framework for the next phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza initiative.
The proposal includes security measures, administrative and transitional arrangements for the enclave, along with a broader political roadmap aimed at advancing the process.