Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned that Israel is attempting to escalate the conflict in the Middle East by provoking Iran into joining the nearly year-long hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, a group supported by Tehran in Lebanon. Speaking in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian expressed concerns about the "irreversible" consequences of further instability in the region. He emphasized Iran's desire for peace, stating, "We do not wish to cause instability in the Middle East. Israel, however, is seeking to create an all-out conflict."

Pezeshkian, a moderate politician elected in July on a platform of pragmatic foreign policy, criticized the international community for its silence on what he called "Israel's genocide" in Gaza. He urged for dialogue to resolve the ongoing Middle East conflict. His comments came after Israel launched a significant wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah, marking the deadliest day of fighting in Lebanon in nearly a year of conflict between the two sides. When questioned about Iran's potential involvement in the conflict, Pezeshkian reaffirmed support for groups defending their rights but did not provide specific details on military action.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, who is also attending the General Assembly, warned that the situation is approaching full-scale war and called on world leaders to intervene. He noted that New York presents a critical moment to push for a diplomatic resolution.

Meanwhile, exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border. Israel has indicated a preference for diplomacy that would see Hezbollah moved away from the border, though Hezbollah has stated that only an end to the Gaza war will halt the fighting. Ceasefire negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. have made little progress, leaving the conflict deadlocked.

Although Pezeshkian has consistently affirmed Iran's opposition to Israel and its backing of regional resistance movements, Iran's foreign policy is directed by the elite Revolutionary Guards, who report directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since taking office, Pezeshkian has reiterated these positions, particularly in light of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, an event that both Tehran and Hamas attribute to Israel.

Pezeshkian hinted at future retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing, stating, "We will respond at the appropriate time and place." Despite Tehran's vow for severe retribution, Iran has so far refrained from direct action against Israel. Iranian officials confirmed in August that Tehran has been engaged in intense diplomatic discussions with Western nations, including the U.S., to carefully gauge its response to Haniyeh's assassination.

Pezeshkian also criticized Israel's ongoing military operations, revealing that Iran had been informed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas would be reached within a week. However, this agreement has not materialized, and Israel has continued to expand its attacks.