Iranian President Apologizes for Attacks on Neighbors, Suspends Strikes Unless Provoked
The apology came amid continued Iranian drone and missile fire on Gulf states, with reports of explosions in Doha shortly after the statement's release.
TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology Thursday for Iran's retaliatory strikes on neighboring countries during the ongoing conflict, announcing a suspension of such attacks unless Iran is targeted from those territories first.
In a pre-recorded televised address, Pezeshkian expressed regret on behalf of himself and the nation, stating, "I must apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran." He attributed the strikes to chaos following the deaths of senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. The Temporary Leadership Council approved the halt, emphasizing diplomacy to resolve tensions and urging regional unity against external pressures.
Pezeshkian rejected demands for Iran's unconditional surrender, declaring that those expecting it "should take that dream to their grave." He condemned U.S. and Israeli actions as violations of international law, including bombings of civilian sites like schools and hospitals, and vowed to defend Iran's sovereignty while adhering to humanitarian principles.
The apology came amid continued Iranian drone and missile fire on Gulf states, with reports of explosions in Doha shortly after the statement's release. Regional nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have condemned the attacks and supported U.S. efforts.
This development highlights Iran's internal leadership strains and efforts to isolate the conflict from regional allies.
To date, the military action—entering its tenth day—has involved over 2,000 strikes achieving air superiority, degrading nuclear and missile sites, sinking an Iranian warship, and eliminating key regime leaders, prompting Iranian retaliations including tanker attacks, drone strikes on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, and missile barrages on Gulf allies, with six American service members killed. Reinforcements continue, with Trump projecting four to five weeks of targeted operations to secure U.S. and allied interests.