TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stern warning against any military miscalculations by foreign powers, asserting that while the Islamic Republic seeks peace, it is fully prepared for a crushing retaliation.

In a series of telephone conversations with regional heads of state on Thursday and Friday, the Iranian president emphasized that the era of coercion is over, describing Iran’s stance as one of “dignified diplomacy” backed by an unwavering right to self-defense.

In a call with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Pezeshkian addressed the escalating rhetoric from Washington and the recent deployment of U.S. naval assets.

He stated that strengthening brotherly bonds and Islamic unity are the pillars of his administration, but these should not be mistaken for a lack of resolve.

Addressing potential threats, the president declared: “Any aggression against the country and the nation of Iran will be responded to immediately and decisively.”

He added that while Iran pursues interaction based on mutual respect, it views the current Western approach as a violation of international law and a failure of practical diplomacy.

The president’s message remained consistent during a detailed exchange with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the same day.

The two leaders discussed the necessity of resolving regional issues through dialogue rather than “war-inciting” provocations.

Pezeshkian reiterated that for any diplomatic initiative to succeed, all parties must prove their good faith by abandoning threats.

He characterized Iran’s approach as a “win-win logic” that rejects the use of force but remains committed to protecting the nation’s integrity under the framework of international regulations.

The diplomatic outreach comes as the United States intensifies its military posturing in the waters of the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump has dispatched the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group—which he labeled a “beautiful armada”—in an overt attempt to force Tehran into a lopsided negotiation.

Trump has further threatened military strikes “far worse” than previous operations if Iran does not comply with U.S. demands.

Senior Iranian officials have dismissed this as a failed “gunboat diplomacy” strategy that will only deepen regional instability. They have also said Iran's response to any aggression will be “immediate, comprehensive, and unprecedented.”

In separate discussions with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, Pezeshkian thanked the neighboring nations for their consistent solidarity.

He remarked that if the U.S. truly desired genuine negotiations, it would cease its destabilizing actions. “Iran has never been the initiator of war and does not welcome conflict,” he noted. But he made a crucial distinction: “We will not allow ourselves to be threatened or attacked while negotiating.”

The leaders of Qatar and Pakistan expressed their opposition to any measures—military, economic, or political—targeting Iran’s sovereignty.

They warned that any escalation would trigger a “disastrous cycle of violence” with global consequences, commending Tehran’s logical and responsible prioritization of regional dialogue over foreign-imposed confrontation.