Only hours after Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to Gulf nations hit by airstrikes and said the attacks would stop, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came under Iranian attack. Gulf states warned they could retaliate if Iran's strikes continue, as tensions flare again.
On the 7th (local time), according to major foreign media including Reuters and the Associated Press, an Iranian airstrike sparked fires in buildings, including dwellings, in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, on the afternoon of the same day.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it struck the U.S. military's Juffair base in Bahrain. The Guard said there had been an attack from the Juffair base targeting a desalination plant in Iran earlier that day, and that it launched missiles in response.
The UAE Ministry of National Defense also said that evening it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones over Dubai with its air defenses. Reuters reported that in Dubai's Al Barsha district, debris from an intercepted object fell onto a vehicle, killing one driver of Asian descent.
Earlier, President Pezeshkian said in a speech on state television, "We approved a plan to halt attacks on countries as long as neighboring states do not attack Iran," adding, "I personally apologize to neighboring countries that were struck by Iran." His remarks were seen as a message aimed at easing Gulf anger and blocking the possibility of retaliatory strikes. According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia was said to have delivered a stern warning to Iran just before the apology was announced.
Reuters, citing multiple sources, reported that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke by phone two days earlier with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and warned that Saudi Arabia would have no choice but to retaliate if attacks on Saudi territory or energy facilities continue.
Iran maintains it did not directly target Gulf states but struck U.S. bases and other sites. At the same time, it was reported to have demanded that Saudi Arabia shut down U.S. bases in the region and stop sharing information that could be used for U.S. attacks.
Foreign Minister Araghchi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "On the premise that the territory of a neighboring country is not used for Iranian attacks, President Pezeshkian showed an open stance toward easing regional tensions, but U.S. President Donald Trump immediately rejected it," shifting responsibility for attacks on neighboring countries to the United States. He also said, "We warned President Trump's envoys that war will not increase the United States' negotiating leverage."
Iran's leadership also suggested military action could continue. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the judiciary chief and another member of the interim leadership council, said, "The territory of some countries in the region is being used by the enemy and has become a launching point for Iranian attacks," adding, "Strikes on these targets will continue." Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also said, "As long as U.S. bases remain in the region, these countries will not be able to enjoy peace."
As Iran's airstrikes persisted, Qatar also hinted at possible retaliation. According to Qatar's state news agency, Qatar's ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, spoke with President Trump and discussed heightened regional tensions caused by Iran's continued strikes. The Qatari ruler also signaled possible retaliation against Iran, saying he would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect his country's security, sovereignty, and national interests.
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and offered to support responses to Iran's drones. Zelensky said, "Ukraine has fought against Iran-designed Shahed drones for years and possesses more experience than any other country in the world," adding, "We are ready to help."