Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that his comments about attacks affecting Gulf states had been “misinterpreted by the enemy”, comments that were widely seen as a sign of a possible suspension of attacks on neighboring states.Speaking on state TV, Pezeshkian said Iran wants good relations with countries in the region and has no intention of creating division with its neighbors, adding that his comments “have been misinterpreted by the enemy who wants to create division with neighbors”.
Click for live updates“It has been repeatedly said that we are brothers and should have good relations with our neighbors. However, we are forced to respond to the attacks but it does not mean that we have a dispute with any neighboring country or that we want to harass their people,” Reuters quoted state media as saying. The clarification comes after Pezeshkian’s previous comments, including an apology to neighboring Gulf countries hit by Iranian attacks targeting US military facilities in the region, have sparked debate domestically and across the region.He previously said, “I personally apologize to the neighboring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions.” He urged them not to join the US-Israeli military operation against Iran.The Iranian president also indicated that Tehran’s Temporary Leadership Council had agreed to halt attacks on neighboring states unless attacks against Iran come from their territory.However, this statement was criticized by hard-liners within Iran. A deputy leader of the President’s Office later clarified that Iranian forces would continue to “respond firmly” to any attacks launched from US bases in the region.Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on state television that there is no disagreement among Iranian leaders over the country’s strategy in the current conflict.Pezeshkian’s latest comments may have been prompted by a reaction to comments made by US President Donald Trump. Trump responded to Pezeshkian’s statement on Saturday by claiming that Iran had effectively apologized and that it signaled weakness.Trump later warned that the United States could expand its targets. “He was probably talking about oil facilities a few hours ago,” Izadi, a Tehran University professor, said, referring to Trump’s comments.“After that video came out, Trump put out a Truth Social statement saying Iran had apologized and said it showed they were surrendering,” Izadi said.Meanwhile, Trump signaled that Washington is unwilling to pursue talks with Tehran as the conflict escalates.Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said the ongoing military operation could make negotiations unnecessary if Iran’s leadership structure collapses. He said, “At some point, I don’t think there will be anyone left, perhaps to say, ‘We surrender.'”The conflict has entered its second week and Israeli forces have launched new attacks across Iran, including Tehran. Iranian officials say at least 1,332 civilians have been killed and thousands injured in the US-Israeli campaign, while Iranian missile and drone attacks have killed 10 people in Israel.Iran has also targeted US military facilities and allied states hosting US forces. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reported drone incidents over the weekend, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked US forces in Bahrain.The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where Israel has warned the government it faces a “very heavy price” if it fails to rein in the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. According to reports, nearly 300 people have been killed since Monday in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas, including Beirut’s southern suburbs.The escalating war has also destabilized global energy markets, with disruptions across the Gulf sending oil prices to multi-year highs and prompting many regional producers to reduce output.