In the statement, Pezeshkian said Iran had attempted to avoid war through diplomatic engagement with neighbouring governments but that recent military actions by the United States and Israel had forced Tehran to act in self-defence. “We have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves,” he wrote.

The Iranian president addressed the message to what he described as “friendly and neighboring states,” stressing that Tehran respects the sovereignty of countries across the Middle East. He added that regional security and stability should be achieved collectively by states in the region rather than through outside intervention.

Iranian officials have repeatedly framed their military posture in recent months as defensive, arguing that the country is responding to external threats. Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect Tehran’s long-standing position that regional security arrangements should be managed by Middle Eastern governments themselves.

The message appeared aimed at reassuring neighbouring governments that Iran’s response would not threaten their territorial sovereignty while also signalling that Tehran considers recent military actions against it to justify retaliation under self-defence.

The victims, Brigadier General Gholamreza Mehrabi, deputy head of intelligence at the Armed Forces General Staff, and Brigadier General Mehdi Rabani, deputy chief of operations, were targeted and killed in what Iranian officials described as a calculated strike.

“These commanders, who played pivotal roles during the eight years of the Sacred Defense, were martyred in a cowardly attack by the Zionist regime,” read a statement issued by the Iranian Armed Forces’ public relations office, referring to the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s.

Iranian state media circulated tributes to the slain commanders, highlighting their legacy within the military establishment. Tehran has yet to outline its official response, though tensions in the region remain high amid fears of further escalation.

Israel has not issued a direct comment on the strike, in line with its long-standing policy of ambiguity concerning operations beyond its borders. However, the development marks a significant moment in the ongoing shadow conflict between the two regional adversaries.

Regional analysts warn that the targeting of such high-ranking figures could provoke a retaliatory response from Tehran, potentially fueling an already volatile landscape.