Iranian President: We Will Not Start a War but Will Respond Forcefully to Those Who Attack Us

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated in a speech broadcast on television today, Friday, that his country will not start a war but will "respond forcefully" to anyone who seeks to act aggressively against it. Raisi said, "We will not start any war... but if someone wants to act aggressively towards us, they will receive a strong response." He added, "Previously, when the Americans wanted to talk to us, they said that the military option was on the table. Now they say they do not intend to engage in conflict with Iran." Raisi pointed out that "the military power of the Islamic Republic in the region does not pose a threat to any country, nor has it ever. Rather, it guarantees the security that regional countries can rely on and trust."