Pezeshkian defends Iran strikes on Arabs hosting US bases: ‘had to respond’ to stop fresh attacks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has defended Tehran’s strikes against U.S. military bases located in Gulf Arab countries, arguing that Iran could not remain passive while attacks on Iranian territory were launched from those bases. He said the retaliatory strikes were intended to deter further attacks, while Tehran maintains that it does not seek conflict with neighbouring states themselves.