Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologised to neighbouring Gulf countries after missile attacks during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel heightened tensions across the Middle East.
In a pre-recorded speech broadcast on Iranian state television on Saturday, Pezeshkian said Iran does not intend to target regional countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, unless attacks against Iran originate from their territory.
The Iranian leader said the country’s interim leadership council has decided that no more strikes will be carried out against neighbouring states unless they directly participate in military action against Iran. According to him, the decision was reached after discussions within Iran’s leadership as the conflict with Israel and the United States continues to intensify.
Pezeshkian also extended an apology to neighbouring governments, stressing that Tehran has no hostility toward countries in the region. He suggested that the recent missile strikes toward Gulf states were the result of miscommunication within Iran’s military command, indicating that the government is attempting to prevent the war from spreading further across the region.
The situation in Iran has been highly volatile since last week’s dramatic escalation, when US and Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader. Following the attack, Iran established an interim leadership council to manage the country’s political and military affairs during the crisis.
Since then, the region has witnessed a series of military actions, including missile launches, airstrikes, and rising security alerts across several Middle Eastern countries. The developments have raised fears that the conflict could expand beyond Iran and Israel if regional nations become directly involved.
Despite Tehran’s effort to calm tensions, reports early Saturday indicated that several missile attacks targeted Gulf Arab states. Explosions and air-defence responses were reported in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as regional defence systems were activated to intercept incoming threats.
These attacks occurred as Israel and the United States continued their airstrikes on Iranian military facilities, further intensifying the confrontation between the three countries. The strikes have heightened security concerns across the Persian Gulf, where several countries host strategic military bases and key global energy infrastructure.
Pezeshkian also addressed the United States’ stance on negotiations during the conflict. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Washington would not engage in talks with Iran unless Tehran agreed to an “unconditional surrender.”
Responding to the demand, the Iranian president rejected the proposal and said the idea of unconditional surrender was unrealistic. He described the demand as a “dream that they should take to their grave,” signalling that Tehran is not prepared to accept Washington’s terms.
The ongoing confrontation between Iran, Israel, and the United States has triggered global concern, with analysts warning that further escalation could destabilize the wider Middle East. Regional governments remain on high alert, particularly Gulf nations that fear becoming unintended targets due to their strategic alliances and proximity to Iran.
For now, Iran’s latest message appears aimed at reassuring neighbouring countries that they are not Tehran’s intended targets, even as its conflict with Israel and the United States continues to escalate.
Summary – Key Highlights
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf nations after recent missile attacks during the Iran-US-Israel conflict. Tehran said it will not target neighbouring countries unless attacks originate from their territory. The statement came after reports of strikes in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Meanwhile, Iran rejected the US demand for unconditional surrender, signalling that tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Israel remain high as fears of a wider Middle East war grow.