Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries for the attacks carried out during the conflict with Israel and the United States, but stated that Tehran would only launch strikes if those countries attack Iran first.
“I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were targeted by our attacks,” Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on Iranian state television.
He added that the interim leadership council had decided that Iran would stop attacking neighbouring nations and would not fire missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from their territory.
However, Pezeshkian made it clear that Iran would not surrender.
“The enemies must take their dream of the Iranian people’s surrender to their graves,” he said.
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The statement comes after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes across Iran on February 28, following stalled nuclear negotiations and allegations that Tehran had resumed nuclear activities. The operation, called ‘Operation Epic Fury’, targeted several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, and reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with members of his family.
In response, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Israel and US-linked interests in several regional countries, mainly across the Gulf. Targets included areas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with videos circulating online showing significant destruction.
Strikes near Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, injured four people last week. Iranian attacks also hit locations such as the Palm Jumeirah development and the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel, while drone debris caused a fire at the US consulate in Dubai on Tuesday.
In Bahrain, an Iranian missile struck a state-run oil refinery on Thursday.