Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country seeks dialogue rather than conflict, but warned that any attempt by the United States to pressure or subdue Iran would fail, state media reported.

According to the Iranian news agency, Pezeshkian said Iran does not want war “in any form” and prefers talks to resolve disputes. He cautioned that efforts by Washington to impose its will or force Iran into surrender would not succeed.

Questioning attacks on civilians, he said: “Under international law and humanitarian principles, what is the justification for targeting civilians, experts, children and destroying important centres such as schools and hospitals?”

Separately, Science Minister Hossein Simaei Sarraf said Iran was facing an enemy “that is not bound by morality, law or any other system.”

He made the remarks during a visit to the Aerospace Research Institute in Tehran, which was targeted in US and Israeli attacks on February 28.

Videos released by Iranian media showed extensive damage to the building, while the minister said that “no facility in the country is free from danger.”