'Won't Surrender To Oppression': Iran President's Defiant Message To US, Israel From Delhi

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday issued a defiant message to the US and Israel, saying Tehran would not bow to “bullying” or “arrogance” and would stand firm to protect its national interests.

“We will not surrender to oppression. Iran is standing up to Israel and the US because we will not be bullied, and if they push us, we will push them back,” Pezeshkian said.

Addressing religious leaders, intellectuals, academics and business figures in New Delhi, he said Iran wanted peaceful coexistence in the Gulf but would resist foreign powers seeking to “sow the seeds of discord” inside the country.

Pezeshkian also accused US and Israeli forces of targeting civilians and infrastructure. Referring to a US strike near a school in southern Iran,

he said the forces should target soldiers rather than “hospitals, infrastructure and livelihoods”.

“They think people will surrender because of the lack of supplies but the people of Iran will not surrender,” he said.

‘We Have To Live With Each Other’

Pezeshkian said the US and Israel were making “errors like someone riding a wild horse without reining it in”, warning that such actions would lead to “doom”.

“God created Iranians, Chinese, Indians and others, and we have to live with each other,” he said. “We will not surrender to oppression, we will keep supporting the oppressed.”

Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day visit centred on the BRICS summit. Earlier, he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the West Asia situation and bilateral ties.

Pezeshkian said he had “nice talks” with PM Modi that could pave the way for greater cooperation in trade, technology and culture. He also described Iran as a potential strategic partner for regional energy and food supplies.

Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, Pezeshkian called for greater use of local currencies in trade and said Iran’s location, energy resources and transport links could make it a strategic bridge for BRICS economic connectivity.

He urged the bloc to move beyond its economic potential and build stronger networks for trade, investment and joint financing.

(With inputs from agencies)