• Iran's President declares refusal to surrender to Israel and the US.
• Pezeshkian apologizes to neighboring countries for recent strikes.
• Iran continues missile and drone attacks in response to US-Israel actions.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Saturday that the nation would "never surrender" to Israel and the United States, as the conflict in the region escalates. "Iran's enemies must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves," he declared in a televised speech. The current strife follows US and Israeli strikes on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, igniting wider hostilities according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

Pezeshkian emphasized, "no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries." He apologized for Iran's strikes targeting these nations, stating the interim leadership council has decided to cease direct military actions against them. This approach aims to mitigate regional tensions and reflects a shift towards restraint, as reiterated across multiple outlets including India Times, Channel News Asia, and Dawn.

Furthermore, the President's stance comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence, where Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes primarily targeting US interests across the Gulf region. Pezeshkian's comments are part of a broader strategy to unify domestic support and convey strength in face of external pressures to capitulate, as also noted by India Times and Dawn.