Iran’s president apologises for air strikes on Gulf countries in state TV address
Iran’s President Apologises for Air Strikes on Gulf Countries in State TV Address
Iran’s leader, Masoud Pezeshkian, made a notable statement on Saturday, asserting that the interim leadership council had directed the armed forces to “refrain from launching attacks on nearby nations or missile strikes unless provoked.” This move is anticipated to ease tensions in the Gulf region and stabilize volatile energy markets. In a separate address, Pezeshkian expressed regret for the strikes, explaining that “our commanders and leaders were lost due to the brutal aggression, and as a result, our military, steadfast in defending our borders, acted out of necessity while their leaders were unavailable.”
“What happened was that our commanders and our leader lost their lives following the barbaric aggression and our armed forces, the champions that are sacrificing their lives to defend our territorial integrity, fired at will because their commanders were absent and did whatever necessary. They proudly and powerfully defended our homeland.”
The effectiveness of this declaration remains uncertain, as military commanders historically rely on directives from the ayatollah. With Ayatollah Ali Khamenei deceased after US-Israeli strikes on the conflict’s opening day, Iran’s supreme leadership vacuum adds complexity. Shortly after Pezeshkian’s remarks, Dubai airport faced an Iranian drone assault, and Qatar reported intercepting a ballistic missile. The war shows no signs of ending, as the Trump administration approved a $151 million arms deal for Israel, emphasizing the need for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” before negotiations.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted in a televised interview that “the most intense bombing campaign of the war is yet to unfold.” Iran’s UN representative vowed to “take all necessary measures” to safeguard national interests, while Associated Press footage captured explosions and smoke in western Tehran. Israel confirmed it had initiated a wide-ranging strike operation, further intensifying the assault on Iran’s military infrastructure, leadership, and nuclear facilities.
The war’s objectives have fluctuated, with the US at times suggesting the aim is to replace Iran’s government or install new leadership. As of now, the conflict has claimed over 1,230 Iranian lives, more than 200 Lebanese, and around a dozen Israeli casualties, according to official reports. Six US service members were also killed during the hostilities. The scope of the war expanded as sirens blared in Bahrain, signaling Iranian attacks on the kingdom. Saudi Arabia neutralized drones targeting its Shaybah oil field and downed a missile heading toward Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts American troops.
Dubai experienced disruptions Saturday morning, with air defenses activated after multiple blasts were heard. Passengers at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, were directed into train tunnels as a precaution. Later, Emirates suspended all flights from the city. Qatar’s energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, warned in a Financial Times interview that the conflict could “bring down the economies of the world,” forecasting a potential halt in Gulf energy exports that might push oil prices past €138 per barrel. The price of US benchmark crude had already surpassed €83 on Friday, marking a two-year high.
Analysts for Qatar-backed Al Jazeera highlighted Iran’s “strategic miscalculation of historic proportions,” arguing that by expanding the war to the Gulf, Tehran is redirecting the conflict from the Israeli-Iranian rivalry to a broader Arab-Iranian confrontation. The network, owned by Qatar’s government, has historically conveyed Doha’s regional perspectives. Sultan al-Khulaifi, a senior researcher at the Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, stated: “By spreading the war to the Gulf, Tehran is doing precisely what Israel could not achieve alone: shifting the conflict from its original axis and transforming it into a struggle with its Arab neighbors.”
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan convened to address the threat of Iranian attacks, with Saudi Press Agency reporting a meeting between Saudi defense minister and Pakistan’s army chief in Riyadh. The alliance underscores growing regional coordination as the war continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape.
