Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to Gulf countries on Saturday (local time) and said Tehran would stop attacking its Arab neighbors if no attacks on Iran came from those countries, Iran International reported.
In a video message released on Saturday, Pezeshkian said: “The Interim Leadership Council approved yesterday that neighboring countries should no longer be targeted and missiles should not be launched unless an attack on Iran comes from those countries.”
He went on to say that the armed forces had hitherto acted with a kind of “at will” authority; however, they have now received notice that they may not attack neighboring countries or attack them with missiles.
The Iranian president also warned groups in neighboring countries, saying: “I am sending this message to groups in neighboring countries who might consider using this opportunity to attack our territory: do not become instruments of imperialism.
However, it is unclear whether Pezeshkian’s announcement took effect immediately, as wiretapping continued over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and sirens sounded in Bahrain after his speech, CNN reported.
US-Israeli-Iran War Enters Day 8
Pezeshkian’s speech comes as the US-Israel war in Iran enters its eighth day, with several Middle Eastern countries bearing the brunt of the war. After the US and Israel targeted Tehran’s key military and naval forces on February 28, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel and US military installations in the Gulf states. As a result, loud explosions were heard in cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama, Riyadh, Doha and others.
Iran attacks Gulf states as fighting spreads
Sirens sounded in Bahrain today as the conflict widened and Iran launched attacks targeting the island kingdom, according to an AP report.
Bahrain’s military said Saturday that 86 missiles and 148 drones had been intercepted and destroyed since Iran’s strikes against the kingdom began, CNN reported.
In addition, Saudi Arabia said it destroyed drones that were targeting its Shaybah oil field and shot down a ballistic missile that was fired toward Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces. In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai airport, one of the busiest in the world, has been attacked by drones several times, with passengers reporting at least one strike and several interceptions, resulting in the suspension of flights for at least several hours.
The Qatari Ministry of Defense announced that the ballistic missile attack had been repelled. Iran’s military said it fired missiles and drones at US military bases in Bahrain and Qatar.
The US says that more intense bombing is ahead
According to an AP report, the conflict does not seem to be ending. US President Donald Trump’s administration recently approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel after Trump said he would not negotiate with Iran without its “unconditional surrender” and US officials warned of an upcoming bombing campaign they said would be the most intense yet.
