Iranian leader vows harsher responses to Israeli actions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasised Iran’s enduring commitment to peace and stability but warned that current circumstances compel the country to respond decisively to Israel's ongoing military actions. 

“We have always sought peace and stability, but given the current circumstances, the only way to end the imposed war is to unequivocally halt the enemy’s aggression and provide definitive guarantees to put an end once and for all to the adventures of the terrorist Zionists. Otherwise, our responses to the enemy will be harsher and more severe,” Caliber.Az reports via Pezeshkian’s message on X.

ما همواره در پی صلح و آرامش بوده‌ایم، اما در شرایط فعلی تنها راه پایان جنگ تحمیلی، «توقف بی‌قید و شرط» تجاوز دشمن و تضمین قطعی برای پایان ماجراجویی‌های تروریست‌های صهیونیستی برای همیشه است.
در غیر این صورت پاسخ‌های ما به دشمن سخت‌تر و پشیمان‌کننده‌تر است.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) June 20, 2025

On June 13, Israel launched large-scale strikes targeting nuclear facilities and the locations of senior Iranian military leadership across multiple cities in the Islamic Republic. The attacks resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Chief of General Staff, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, several high-ranking military officials, and nine Iranian nuclear research specialists. Since Friday, June 13, at least 585 people have been killed and more than 1,300 injured across Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Israeli territory. Official reports state that 24 people were killed and over 800 wounded in the attack. Several countries, including Türkiye, have strongly condemned Israel’s actions.

By Naila Huseynova