Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Saturday that Iran will halt missile strikes on neighboring countries unless first attacked. He offered a public apology to nations affected by recent Iranian attacks, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
In a televised speech, Pezeshkian stated that future attacks would only be retaliatory, emphasizing that diplomacy should guide Iran’s relations with its neighbors. The announcement followed discussions between Iran’s temporary leadership council and armed forces.
The President also addressed miscommunications in the military ranks after the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other leaders, which contributed to the strikes. He stressed that Iran’s armed response would now be defensive, not preemptive.
Pezeshkian dismissed the United States’ demand for unconditional surrender as unrealistic, saying it was “a dream they should take to their grave,” signaling Iran’s continued resolve despite recent conflicts.
