Iran's president says ending war depends on Israel ceasing airstrikes without conditions

By Mustafa Ahishali, Muhammed Kilic, and Ikram Kouachi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that the only path to ending the current war is for Israel to cease its airstrikes unconditionally.

"We have always pursued peace and stability," Pezeshkian said in a statement, according to Iranian media.

He noted that “under the current circumstances, lasting peace will only be possible if the Zionist enemy ceases its hostilities and provides firm guarantees to end its terrorist provocations.”

The president warned that “failure to do so would result in a far more forceful and regrettable response from Iran.”

Hostilities broke out last Friday when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 639 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to Iranian media reports.