Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran does not want war in the Middle East or to become the cause of instability in the region.

Pezeshkian spoke to reporters in New York on Monday. He is visiting the United States to join the UN General Assembly for the first time since taking office.

The Iranian president referred to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Iran backs the Lebanon-based Shia Muslim group.

Pezeshkian said, "We want to live in peace, we don't want war." He added, "It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict."

Pezeshkian vowed to avenge Israel over the killing of a top Hamas official during a visit to Tehran in July, saying such action "will not remain unanswered." He said Iran will respond at the proper location, at an appropriate time.

The Iranian president also spoke at the UN Summit of the Future. He condemned Israel for causing the deaths of many women and children through its military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Pezeshkian said "no document will guarantee peace," "in a world where civilians in Gaza are ruthlessly killed," and "state-sponsored terrorism brutally targets children and women."