Tehran, March 7 (UNI) Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Arab Gulf nations in an address on Saturday morning, saying Tehran would stop striking its neighbors unless attacks on Iran provoked, while asserting that claims Iran would surrender unconditionally are “nothing more than dreams.”
President Pezeshkian said the interim leadership council has approved a policy to avoid attacking neighboring countries unless provoked. He also apologised for the strikes carried out in recent days.
Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian said, “I personally apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran. We do not intend to attack neighboring countries. As I have repeatedly said, they are our brothers.”
In his address, Pezeshkian said: “They will take their dreams of our unconditional surrender to the grave.”
His remarks came less than a day after US President Donald Trump declared that his government would not negotiate with Tehran without its “unconditional surrender.”
“The three-member leadership council temporarily ruling Iran had told armed forces that from now on there should be no attack on neighboring countries or hit missiles unless they would want to attack us from those countries," he added.
Since the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a week ago, a three-person leadership council has held power until a successor is named. The council includes Pezeshkian, a relatively moderate, along with hardline judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and senior cleric Alireza Arafi.
On diplomacy, he emphasised, “I think we need to solve this with diplomacy rather than fighting and having problems with neighboring countries.”
He also warned Gulf nations, saying, “Do not become a plaything in the hands of imperialism,” urging them not to attack Iranian territory.
It is unclear whether Pezeshkian’s announcement comes into effect immediately. Following the address, interceptions were reportedly heard over the United Arab Emirates, and sirens sounded in Bahrain.
But minutes after his speech, an explosion was reported in the sky over Doha as reported by Al Jazeera. The sound likely came from a missile interception, though it is unclear if there was a lag between the government’s announcement and the Iranian military’s actions.
Meanwhile, Israel declared a “new phase” in its joint campaign with the US, which has involved heavy bombing of Tehran and Lebanon.
Trump signaled he would not pursue negotiations with Iran, calling instead for its “unconditional surrender” and stating he aims to influence Iran’s next leadership.
Meanwhile, as per media reports, Russia is reportedly providing intelligence on US positions to Iran, CBS news quoted three sources as saying, including a senior US official. Early Saturday, the Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with President Pezeshkian.
Minutes after Pezeshkian’s address, an explosion was reported over Doha, likely from a missile interception. It remains uncertain whether there was a delay between the leadership’s announcement and Iranian military actions.
Meanwhile, Israel declared a “new phase” in its joint campaign with the U.S., involving heavy bombardment of Tehran and Lebanon. Former President Trump reiterated that he would not negotiate with Iran, calling instead for its “unconditional surrender” and indicating his interest in influencing Iran’s next leadership.
Russia is reportedly supplying intelligence on U.S. positions to Iran, according to three sources, including a senior U.S. official. The Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Pezeshkian early Saturday.
Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran will no longer strike neighboring countries unless provoked, saying,“Claims that Iran will want to surrender unconditionally are nothing more than dreams.”
He also apologised for recent strikes, emphasising, “I personally apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran.” UNI AAB