Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian Declares Defiance Toward US and Israel

In an interview broadcast on state television on August 7, 2026, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country did not initiate the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel and rejected any pressure to back down.

He claimed that adversaries had prepared a plan to occupy Iran within 48 hours, similar to the Syrian scenario, but that Iran’s military strength thwarted it. Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s resilience and called for unity among Muslims to confront external challenges.

The president also referenced the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, noting his limited public appearances but describing his presence as a major source of strength for the nation.