Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that his earlier remarks about Iran not attacking neighbouring countries had been misinterpreted, stressing that Tehran would defend itself forcefully if attacked from the region.

“The enemy misinterpreted my statement that Iran will not attack regional countries,” Pezeshkian said. “Let me make it clear that if attacked by a neighbouring country, we will defend ourselves vigorously.”

His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had effectively “surrendered” to its Middle Eastern neighbours following Pezeshkian’s earlier announcement that Tehran would halt strikes on nearby states unless attacks originated from their territory.

Pezeshkian had previously apologised to neighbouring countries affected by Iranian missile and drone attacks and said a leadership council had instructed the armed forces not to target regional states unless they were used to launch attacks against Iran.

The exchange comes amid an escalating regional conflict triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, with drone and missile attacks reported across parts of the Gulf and rising civilian casualties across the region.