US, Israel's measures root cause of regional instability: Pezeshkian

TABNAK, Mar. 16 - Iranian President denounced the hostile the Us and Israel's hostile measures as the root cause of regional insecurity and instability.

News ID: 7241

Date: 16 March 2026 - 20:03

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the hostile measures by the United States and the Zionist regime as the root cause of insecurity and instability in the region, reaffirming Iran’s determination to ward of aggression and safeguard its territorial integrity.

In a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Sunday night, President Pezeshkian condemned the illegal US and Israeli war of aggression against Iran.

He decried the relentless US and Israeli strikes against civilian targets in Iran, saying the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Khark have come under aggressive attacks.

Pezeshkian explained that the recent strikes on those Iranian islands have been conducted from the soil of a number of Persian Gulf countries, warning them that allowing the US to use their territory and facilities to launch brutal attacks on Iran contradicts the international law and the principles of good neighborliness.

“The Iranian nation, government and Armed Forces have never sought tension and conflict, but we have no hesitation in countering aggressors and defending our territorial integrity and national security resolutely and legitimately with popular backing and reliance on national power,” Pezeshkian stated.

The root cause of insecurity and instability in the region are the Zionist regime’s aggressive measures, the slaughter of people in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as its move to impose two wars against Iran with the help of the US, he added.

The Iranian president also decried the destructive stances of a number of European countries in support of the Israeli and US crimes in the region, calling on Europe to remain committed to the international regulations and rule of law in the world.

For his part, Macron stressed the need for de-escalation and ending the war, expressing concern about the escalation of tensions in the region, the current situation at the Strait of Hormuz, and the clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli regime, Irna reported.

The two presidents further discussed consular issues, including the Iranian and French prisoners.