Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that the United States' demand for Iran's unconditional surrender is "a dream they can take to their grave".
In a televised message released on Saturday, Pezeshkian acknowledged the Iranian people's resilience while calling for national unity at a time when the country is facing what he described as an unprovoked war of aggression by the United States and Israel.
"We call on every Iranian who lives in Iran, regardless of their religion, status, or appearance, to defend the integrity of Iran's territory," he said.
The Iranian president also rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for Tehran's unconditional capitulation to end the conflict.
"If they want us to surrender unconditionally, they should take such a dream with them to their grave," he said.
Pezeshkian said that Iran had no intention to attack neighboring countries unless attacks are launched from those countries. In a social media post on the same day, he also stressed that Iran's "defensive operations" only target facilities and sites used to initiate attacks against the country.
The United States and Israel, on Feb 28, launched strikes against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts. Iran has retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israeli and U.S. targets across the region.
Iranian president says U.S. demand for unconditional surrender is "dream they can take to grave"
Protesters gathered in New York and other cities across the United States on Saturday to voice their opposition against U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and call for a ceasefire.
In Manhattan's Union Square, thousands of protesters held signs, reading "Stop the war in Iran" and "Hands off Iran," urging the government to stop military operations against the country.
"I'm hoping that all the countries and the international community push and put pressure on Israel and the United States to stop the war," said Adrina, a protester.
Demonstrators voiced their concerns over the civilians and highlighted the financial toll of the conflict.
"It could last a long time. And who's going to pay for that? Bunch of civilian. There's going to be a lot of death and destruction," said rally attendee John.
"I'm very scared of that. I really don't want that to happen. And I don't want to pay for it. Right now I just want to say, don't spend my money on more wars overseas. Do not spend money on bombs to hurt children," said Grace, another demonstrator.
The U.S. and Israel on Feb 28 launched strikes against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violence. Iran has retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region.
At least 1,332 Iranian civilians, including women and children, have been killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and thousands more injured, Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Friday.
Protesters rally in New York, calling for end of strikes on Iran
