Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Saturday apologised to Arab Gulf nations following days of missile strikes across the region, saying Tehran would stop targeting neighbouring countries unless attacks against Iran originated from their territories.
In a broadcast on state television, the president said Iran had no intention of continuing attacks on neighbouring states.
“I personally apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said. “We do not intend to attack neighboring countries. As I have repeatedly said they are our brothers.”
He said Iran’s three-member leadership council had already directed the country’s armed forces to halt such operations going forward.
“He added that 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.”
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Pezeshkian stressed that diplomatic engagement, rather than conflict, should guide relations with neighbouring states.
“I think we need to solve this with diplomacy rather than fighting and having problems with neighboring countries,” he added.
The Iranian leader also warned Gulf countries against aligning with foreign powers against Tehran.
“He urged Gulf nations not to become a “plaything in the hands of imperialism,” warning them not to attack Iranian territory.”
Despite the statement, it remained unclear whether the order had taken immediate effect. Shortly after the address, interceptions were reported over the United Arab Emirates, while sirens sounded in Bahrain.
The remarks came after a week of intense Iranian bombardment across the Gulf region, forcing the closure of airspace and prompting many travellers to rush out of the Middle East.
(CNN)