Iran does not seek war, but will respond to aggressors: Pezeshkian

Tehran, August 31 (IANS) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran does not seek war, but will respond with strength and decisiveness to any aggression, according to a statement by his office."We do not seek war, and this is a clear message that we have so far conveyed to the world," he said. "However, we will never sit still in the face of aggression and will give a decisive response to aggressors."Pezeshkian added that instability and unrest in the region are not in the interest of any country and will challenge everyone, noting that regional countries must join hands and make efforts to ensure security and development in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.Pezeshkian's remarks came as US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins said in a statement that US forces on Sunday struck two launchers on Iran's southern Larak Island after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) "were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz."Following the attack, the IRGC said in a statement that a number of military personnel and civilians were killed or wounded in the attack and vowed that the strike would be responded to with "punishment for the aggressor."On Sunday, Pezeshkian said that the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States is in the interests of the country, West Asia and the world.During a ceremony in the Iranian capital Tehran, he stressed that with the MoU's implementation, the United States and Israel will not be able to cause chaos, aggression and insecurity in the region, and regional states will be able to pursue the path of stability and development, according to a statement published on the website of his office.Pezeshkian highlighted the need for foiling the "enemies' sinister plots" through promoting unity and solidarity among Muslim states.He said that Iran has never been the party to start a war, adding, “We do not welcome war, but will stand strongly against any aggressor, and no power can force a nation that is standing with all its might and will into surrender.”