Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on the 7th (local time) apologized to Gulf countries that suffered damage during Iran's retaliation against the United States and Israel and said Iran would halt its attacks.
According to AFP and AP, Pezeshkian said in a national TV address that "the interim leadership council has approved a proposal to halt attacks on these countries as long as neighboring countries do not attack Iran."
He added, "We have no hostility toward countries in the region (the Middle East)," stressing an apology.
After coming under attack from the United States and Israel, Iran has struck U.S. military facilities and other targets in Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But civilian casualties mounted in the process, fueling criticism. Iran has repeatedly stressed that it targeted U.S. assets, such as U.S. military bases located in these areas, not the Gulf countries themselves.
Some analysts say Iran's move to halt attacks on Gulf countries reflects awareness of potential military responses by those countries and Europe's military support.
Gulf countries that have become primary targets of Iran's attacks, including the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, are weighing possible military responses as the damage grows. Major European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy have already formalized military support for U.S. forces and the Gulf region, citing the protection of their nationals and military bases.
Regarding the U.S. demand for "unconditional surrender," Pezeshkian said, "The enemies will have to take to their graves their wish for the surrender of the Iranian people."
President Trump pressured Iran the previous day on social media, saying, "There will be no deal with Iran other than 'unconditional surrender.'"