‘Must Take Idea of us Surrendering to their Graves’: Pezeshkian Rejects Trump’s Call for Unconditional Surrender

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on citizens to unite in defence of the country while rejecting US demands for capitulation amid escalating hostilities involving the United States and Israel.

In a televised address to the Iranian people, Pezeshkian urged national unity and warned that surrender was not an option.

“We stand ready to give our lives to pull our Iran proudly out of this crisis. As for the idea of us surrendering unconditionally, they must take such a dream to their graves," he added.

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump declared that there would be "no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender", asserting that Tehran must capitulate before any diplomatic negotiations can proceed.

Why Did Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian Apologise to Gulf Neighbours?

Pezeshkian also attempted to ease tensions with neighbouring Gulf countries, apologising for attacks that had taken place on their soil and assuring them that no further strikes would occur unless Iran itself was attacked.

"We have no intention of aggression against neighbouring countries; as I have said time and again, they are our brothers,” he said.

“We must join hands with these dear ones in the region to establish peace and tranquillity. I hope that what happened will change based on the decision we took yesterday in our temporary leadership council,” he said.

“This decision has been reported to the armed forces: that from now on, they should not attack or fire missiles at neighbouring countries unless those countries intend to attack us. I believe we must resolve this through diplomacy rather than facing problems by fighting with neighbouring countries," the Iranian President added.

"And I send this message to neighbouring countries where some groups or factions are thinking of using this opportunity to attack our soil: it is better not to become playthings of imperialism,” he said.

We may have differences, we may have complaints against one another, but right now, supporting Israel, which is committing genocide, and America, which is bullying--becoming a puppet in the hands of colonialists and genocide enablers is very bad for those who imagine they want to achieve their own freedom and honour," he added.

Pezeshkian further urged Gulf states to resolve differences through dialogue rather than aligning with Washington or Tel Aviv.

"Honour cannot be attained alongside foxes, liars, and criminals. If we have a difference, it is better we sit down and solve it together, but let us not become playthings of Israel and America," he said.

How Is Iran Framing the Conflict With the US and Israel as a Moral Struggle?

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, also condemned the recent military actions by the United States and Israel, framing the escalation as a fundamental clash of values rather than merely a territorial dispute.

Speaking in the capital after reports of strikes against Iranian interests, the envoy described the situation as a profound moral struggle.

"What is happening today is not simply a political or military conflict. This strike is a continuation of the strike between truth and falsehood," Fathali stated.

The ambassador expanded on the ideological divide behind the conflict.

"On one side, there is human dignity, justice and the right of nations to live freely and independently. On the other side are oppression, injustice and domination."

He argued that the strikes by Washington and Tel Aviv had broader implications for global sovereignty.

"The brutal military aggression by the US and Israeli regime against Iran is a clear example of this injustice. This aggression is not just against Iran but also against the principles of internal law, human dignity and the rights of nations to determine their own future," the Ambassador asserted.

Emphasising the resolve of the Iranian leadership and citizens, Fathali said the country would not be deterred by military pressure.

"We, the people of Iran, clearly declare that on this path we will either achieve victory or reach martyrdom. For us, both are honour and happiness."

What Iranian Military Sites Did Israel Target in Its Latest Airstrikes?

Hostilities on the ground continued to intensify. A wave of Israeli airstrikes in Tehran and central Iran on Friday night targeted several key Iranian military sites, including an underground ballistic missile factory and a military academy, the Israel Defense Forces said.

According to the Israeli military, more than 80 Israeli Air Force fighter jets dropped 230 bombs on the targets during the strikes.

Among the targets was a subterranean site "for the storage and production of ballistic missiles, from which hundreds of soldiers from the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime operated," the IDF said.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had launched the 23rd wave of Operation True Promise 4 on Friday night, highlighting the deployment of new generation missile systems against targets in the occupied territories and US bases across the region.

According to the statement, the latest wave involved advanced missile systems designed to strike multiple targets.

(With inputs from ANI)