Iran's president: Israel's ambitions for all-out war will have 'irreversible' consequences

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told a group of reporters that Israel is seeking to create an all-out war in the Middle East, adding that Tehran does "not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East as its consequences would be irreversible".

"We want to live in peace. We don't want war," he told reporters after his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. "It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict."

Pezeshkian also said that Iran will "defend any group that is defending its rights and itself", without elaborating.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has vowed to retaliate against Israel's recent escalation with equal force but has stressed it is only continuing its most recent conflict with Israel until a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is achieved in Gaza.