Updated

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made a series of public statements this week asserting Iran will not surrender to US pressure, accusing Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure, food supplies, and essential services. In a post on social media, he challenged the US to fight Iran's military rather than wage war on civilians, saying Iranian people cannot be starved into submission. Separately, Pezeshkian sought to reassure Gulf neighbors, stating that Iran is 'not at war with Saudi Arabia,' an apparent effort to de-escalate regional fears amid the broader conflict with the US and concerns over spillover into the Gulf.