Iran tried to avoid war with the US and Israel through diplomacy, but their military aggression left no choice but to defend itself, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in an address to leaders of neighboring and friendly countries.

"Dear leaders of friendly and neighboring states, we tried to avoid war with your help and through diplomacy, but the American-Zionist aggression left us no choice but to defend ourselves. We respect your sovereignty and still believe that regional peace must be ensured through the collective efforts of the countries of the region," the president's statement published on X reads.