**Iranian President Urges Islamic Nations to Unite Against Israel Following Recent Strikes**

Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has called for unity among Islamic countries to confront Israel after its recent military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a pre-recorded interview aired on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," President Pezeshkian squarely blamed Israel for the escalating violence in the region, dismissing any culpability on the part of Iran or Hezbollah, the militant group it has supported for decades.

"Hezbollah alone cannot stand against a heavily armed country fortified with superior weapon systems," Pezeshkian conveyed through an interpreter. He emphasized the necessity for Islamic nations to convene and formulate a collective response to the situation, questioning what Hezbollah could achieve independently. "The regional countries, Islamic countries must sit together," he stressed.

The recent Israeli strike, which resulted in the death of Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah, was a significant escalation. Prior to this, Israel had conducted a remote attack killing dozens of Hezbollah members and disrupting their communications. Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have further intensified the situation.

Discussing potential repercussions for Israel’s actions, Pezeshkian assured that Iran would seek to penalize Israel if international organizations failed to intervene. "If international organizations cannot make Israel sit down," he cautioned, "then naturally we will give the appropriate response."

Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks on Israel following a deadly incursion by Hamas from Gaza into Israel on October 7. This incident led to an Israeli invasion of Gaza, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country’s right to retaliate, stating, "Those who strike at us, we will strike at them. There is nowhere in Iran or the Middle East beyond the reach of the long arm of Israel."

Netanyahu characterized Nasrallah as a significant terrorist, emphasizing the threat posed by Hezbollah over the years.

In his interview, Pezeshkian defended Hezbollah’s actions and labelled Israel as the foremost terrorist state, citing daily terrorization by missiles and drones. Addressing comments on potentially renegotiating a nuclear agreement with the West, he blamed the United States for abandoning the previous accord. "If the United States of America is seeking peace in the region, we seek peace," he affirmed, reiterating that Iran is not seeking to invade other nations but rather to defend itself.

The call for Islamic unity against Israel underscores the persistent tensions and complex dynamics in the Middle East, with both sides firmly asserting their positions amid ongoing violence.