Foreign media reported that Iranian President Pezeshkian warned Middle Eastern countries on March 28 not to allow the United States and Israel to launch wars from their territories, or they would face retaliation from Iran. In a post on social media, he stated that Iran would not launch preemptive strikes, "but if our infrastructure or economic centers are attacked, we will respond with strong retaliation."
Pezeshkian's statement serves both as a deterrent and a clarification—placing the responsibility for war squarely on provocateurs, thereby reserving moral and legal space for Iran’s own actions. The declaration of "no preemptive strike" underscores Iran’s defensive strategy; meanwhile, the warning of "strong retaliation" targets potential escalations by the U.S. and Israel, especially Trump’s threats to bomb power stations and other civilian facilities. By directing his remarks toward Middle Eastern nations, Pezeshkian aims to divide and minimize enemies: if countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Jordan open their airspace or military bases, they become legitimate targets for Iran, and any "proxy" risks would be theirs to bear. This move also constitutes psychological warfare—shifting the burden of war spillover onto regional states, compelling them to carefully choose sides between the U.S. and Iran. Pezeshkian’s warning signals that the chess game in the Middle East is far from over.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860929796297865/
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