In a televised speech, President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the escalating tensions. "I deem it necessary to apologize to neighboring countries that were attacked," he stated. " However, the effectiveness of Iran's apology and policy change is in question.
While Iran's President apologized and said strikes on neighbors would stop unless attacked from their territory, strikes linked to Iran or its forces have not yet stopped, with Qatar and the UAE reporting intercepted missiles on Saturday afternoon, according to BBC News. The context for these developments includes significant internal upheaval. The initial wave of attacks killed senior Iranian commanders and disrupted central command structures.
No more missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from these countries.
Decision-making in Iran has shifted to an interim leadership council after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hardliners within Iran have criticized Pezeshkian's remarks as weak. It remains unknown whether the apology is genuine and why it was issued now, and whether it will translate into actual policy changes to stop strikes.
The level of control the interim leadership has over military and security institutions like the Revolutionary Guards is also unclear.
I deem it necessary to apologize to neighboring countries that were attacked.
We do not intend to invade neighboring countries.