this author asks if 'we've misjudged' iran; 

 

Iranian forces launch Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missiles towards Israel for the first time, 5 March. The medium-range missile is reported to be capable of carrying a heavy payload up to 2,000 kms, putting Israel and US bases across the region within reach.

 SalamPix/Abaca/Sipa USA

One week after the United States and Israel launched their war of aggression, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a message of defiance to the attackers and conciliation to Iran’s US-allied neighbors.

“The idea that we might surrender unconditionally is a wish they should take with them to the grave,” Pezeshkian said in a video address on Saturday.

A day earlier, US President Donald Trump had demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

But the Iranian leader expressed regret that Iran’s armed forces had to attack neighboring Arab states as part of its self-defense.

He said Iran’s leadership council had decided a day earlier there would be no further military action against neighbors unless their territory is used to attack Iran.

“We have no intention of aggression against neighboring countries, just as we have said time and again that they are our brothers,” Pezeshkian said, reiterating a message that Tehran has expressed consistently.

“If we have disagreements, it is better for us to sit together and resolve them ourselves, but do not become the plaything of Israel and America,” Pezeshkian warned..........more.......