Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, director of Iran’s think tank Diplo House, dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent statement amounted to a surrender. Gholamzadeh said Trump’s claim was completely false and misrepresented the president’s message.

According to Gholamzadeh, Pezeshkian’s video message stated that Iran would not target neighboring countries unless attacked first. He clarified that Iran’s actions are directed not at its neighbors but at U.S. or Israeli interests and facilities in the region. Gholamzadeh added that Iran has urged neighboring states not to allow their territories or airspace to be used by the United States or Israel for attacks against Iran.

He described this request as both normal and lawful, emphasizing that it reflects Iran’s defensive stance rather than any sign of capitulation.