File Photo: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Photo courtesy of Quds news.
“I should apologize to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” Pezeshkian said, claiming that some attacks on Gulf countries occurred because Tehran could not exercise complete command over various parts of its military.
“From now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy,” he added in a speech broadcast on state TV.
Tehran has claimed that its strikes on Gulf states targeted US bases and US-linked infrastructure in retaliation for the US-Israeli war against Iran launched last week, while suggesting that damage to non-military sites “may have resulted from interception by US electronic defense systems.”
Later, Pezeshkian’s office emphasized that Iran’s military would respond firmly to attacks from US bases in the region.
Hours later, despite the apology, Gulf countries said they intercepted more ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran on Saturday.
Since the start of the US/Israeli war on iran last week, hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles and drone attacks have struck US bases and US-linked interests in Arab Gulf states in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks on Iran, killing at least 13 and wounding dozens across several countries.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defence said its air defences intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones, though falling debris killed three foreign workers — Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi nationals — and injured dozens.
Kuwait reported at least seven deaths, six US service members and one foreign national, as well as dozens of injuries after intercepting missiles and drones.
In Bahrain, the Defence Force said it destroyed dozens of incoming projectiles and urged the public to take shelter. No confirmed deaths have been reported.
Qatar reported injuries from intercepted missiles and drones but no confirmed fatalities.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted waves of missiles and drones near oil facilities and military sites.
Oman announced that a drone attacked an oil tanker about 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, killing one crew member.
Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, Iran’s armed forces spokesman, reiterated the Pezeshkian message, saying Iran would not target neighboring countries whose territory is not used against it.
Earlier, Pezeshkian dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s call for Iran to surrender unconditionally. “That’s a dream that they should take to their grave,” he said.
Shortly after Pezeshkian’s remarks, Trump warned on social media that more Iranian officials would become targets. “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” he wrote, referencing Pezeshkian’s apology.
“Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time,” Trump added, without elaborating.
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