Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Saturday that attacks on neighbouring Gulf states would be suspended, but only if those countries do not serve as launchpads for attacks against Iran. The conditional pledge, delivered in a televised address, comes amid escalating regional tensions and follows reports of a drone strike near Dubai International Airport.
“The enemies must take their wish for the surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” Pezeshkian stated. He then offered an apology “to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” adding that the interim leadership council had agreed to halt further attacks and missile launches, with the caveat that any aggression originating from those countries would be met with a response.
The Iranian president’s statement appears to be a significant, though qualified, shift in tactics, reflecting mounting diplomatic pressure on Iran to de-escalate the conflict, according to analysts. However, an Iranian armed forces spokesperson clarified that strikes against US and Israeli assets would continue. “So far, we have targeted every base that was the origin of aggression against Iran and we remain committed to this matter,” the spokesperson said, as reported by The Guardian.
Pezeshkian likewise warned against external interference, stating, “Those considering exploiting this moment to attack Iran must not become puppets of imperialism,” and insisted that supporting Israel or the US is “not a path to honour and freedom.”
The announcement follows a recent incident involving a drone strike near Dubai airport, as reported by the BBC. Simultaneously, Qatar’s defence ministry reported intercepting a missile. Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador to the UK, told the BBC that Iran would continue to defend itself if “aggression from the American and Israeli side continues.”
The precise implications of Pezeshkian’s announcement remain unclear, particularly regarding the definition of “aggression” and whether countries hosting US military bases would be considered targets if those bases are used to launch attacks on Iran. The Guardian reported that if the Iranian armed forces consider countries simply providing land for bases as legitimate targets, then effectively little has changed, given the presence of US bases in numerous Gulf States.
The Iranian president’s pledge was made as the country’s temporary leadership council continues to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. The situation remains fluid, with Iran maintaining its commitment to retaliating against perceived threats from the US and Israel, even as it seeks to reduce tensions with its neighbours.
