--- title: "Iran’s Pezeshkian says Tehran will defend itself but not seek escalation" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/irans-pezeshkian-says-tehran-will-defend-itself-but-not-seek-escalation" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/irans-pezeshkian-says-tehran-will-defend-itself-but-not-seek-escalation" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/irans-pezeshkian-says-tehran-will-defend-itself-but-not-seek-escalation.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/irans-pezeshkian-says-tehran-will-defend-itself-but-not-seek-escalation" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-08-04T14:25:37.839Z" source_reported: "2026-08-03T20:30:08.000Z" updated: "2026-08-04T19:15:57.133Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 55 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" --- # Iran’s Pezeshkian says Tehran will defend itself but not seek escalation *President’s statement follows renewed US-Iran attacks after April ceasefire collapsed last month* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Only one outlet provided direct quotes and named sources; others are digests. - Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. Quotes and context present; digests lack depth and sourcing. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are measured and proportional to the content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran does not seek to escalate tensions in the Middle East but will defend its security and interests. - Tensions escalated after US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, followed by a ceasefire in April that collapsed last month. - Pezeshkian spoke with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya, affirming Iran’s support for Palestinian rights, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı. - No left- or centre-rated outlet carried the story, according to the reports available. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on 29 July 2026 that Tehran does not intend to escalate tensions in the Middle East. He added that Iran would use all available means to defend its security, national interests, and territorial integrity. The remarks were broadcast by Press TV, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı. Regional tensions rose after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February 2026. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes targeting multiple countries. A ceasefire brokered in April collapsed in July, leading to renewed exchanges between the US and Iran over nearly two weeks, Anadolu Ajansı reported. Pezeshkian also spoke by telephone with Hamas’s newly elected leader, Khalil al-Hayya. A Hamas statement, carried by Anadolu Ajansı, said Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s support for Palestinian rights. Hayya expressed hope for an end to attacks on Iran and a return to regional stability. ## What the coverage left out No left- or centre-rated outlet ran the story, according to the reports available. The unrated digest from anews.com.tr did not include the detail that US President Donald Trump said Israel had joined the commitment to a peace deal, which Anadolu Ajansı reported. **Coverage watch:** unwatched. Checked 0 times; 0 checks found a material change. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre No separate framing summary. ### Right - The right-rated report from Anadolu Ajansı led on Pezeshkian’s statement that Iran does not seek to escalate tensions but will defend itself. It included his vow to use Iran’s full capabilities for its security and interests. The report also detailed the February attacks by the US and Israel, Iran’s retaliatory strikes, and the collapse of the April ceasefire. - Anadolu Ajansı quoted Pezeshkian’s remarks as broadcast by Press TV: “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek to escalate tensions or instability in the region. However, it will act with its full capabilities to defend the country's security, national interests, and territorial integrity.” The report named US President Donald Trump as having cancelled a planned strike on Iran after requests from Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries. - The report also carried Hamas’s statement that Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s support for Palestinian rights during his call with Hayya. It noted Hayya’s election as Hamas leader in July 2026, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October 2024. ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [anews.com.tr](https://anews.com.tr/world/2026/08/03/tehran-not-seeking-escalation-in-region-iranian-president-pezeshkian-says) — Tehran not seeking escalation in region, Iranian President Pezeshkian says - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/tehran-not-seeking-escalation-in-region-iranian-president-says/4017468) — Tehran not seeking escalation in region, Iranian president says - [arabtimesonline.com](https://arabtimesonline.com/news/iran-says-it-does-not-seek-regional-escalation-vows-to-defend-security-interests) — Iran Says It Does Not Seek Regional Escalation, Vows to Defend Security Interests ## Questions **What did Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian say about regional tensions?** Pezeshkian said Tehran does not seek to escalate tensions in the Middle East but will use its full capabilities to defend its security and interests. The statement was made on 29 July 2026 and reported by Anadolu Ajansı, which also carried his remarks as broadcast by Press TV. **Why did tensions escalate in the Middle East in 2026?** Tensions escalated after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February 2026, triggering retaliatory strikes by Tehran. A ceasefire agreed in April collapsed in July, leading to renewed attacks between the US and Iran over nearly two weeks, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı. **What did Hamas say about Iran’s stance on Palestinian rights?** Hamas said Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s support for Palestinian rights during a phone call with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya. The statement was carried by Anadolu Ajansı, which also reported Hayya’s election as Hamas leader in July 2026. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/irans-pezeshkian-says-tehran-will-defend-itself-but-not-seek-escalation. 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