Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran, has apologised to neighbouring countries after Iranian missile and drone strikes reportedly affected their territories during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
TruthLive News learnt from Reuters that President Pezeshkian issued the apology in a televised address broadcast on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Saturday.
He said Iran regretted the impact of its military actions on nearby states.
“I personally apologise, on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran, to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said in the pre-recorded speech.
The Iranian leader said a provisional leadership council, formed after the death of Iran’s supreme leader, had ordered the country’s armed forces to stop targeting neighbouring states.
He added that Iran would only launch attacks if strikes against Iranian territory were carried out from those countries.
“From now on, neighbouring countries should not be attacked or targeted with missiles, unless we are attacked from those countries,” Pezeshkian said.
The president described the broader conflict as one imposed on Iran by its adversaries, rejecting calls for an unconditional surrender.
He also urged citizens to remain united, calling on Iranians to set aside their differences and support the country during a period of heavy Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other areas.
The apology appears to be an effort to reduce tensions in the region after reports that Iranian strikes had affected parts of several Gulf states, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with some impacts reported near Dubai International Airport.
Despite the apology, Pezeshkian said Iran remains ready to defend itself and would continue military operations against Israeli and US forces as the conflict continues.
