Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that his country is not seeking confrontation, but neither will it bow down to external pressures, the IRNA agency reports.

"We do not want to fight; I believe we must set war aside, but if they want to force us, must we bow down at any price? It seems unacceptable to me that Iran should bow down," Pezeshkian stated during a meeting with intellectuals and cultural activists in Lorestan province. In that context, he questioned the intentions of the United States and pointed out that Washington has publicly announced its interest in the oil resources of other countries.

The president highlighted the courage of the people of Lorestan and maintained that "it is not fair for the people of this region and this land to bow down to intimidation." He added that to solve problems and improve conditions, it is necessary to think about concrete solutions. "Simply stating problems will not solve them, but we must think about solutions and how to deal with them," he affirmed.

Pezeshkian also stressed that pressures should not be allowed to accumulate to the point of leading the population to protest in the streets. "Reforming cultural affairs requires help, and we also seek help from anyone who has the capacity and experience," he noted.