Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a rare apology to neighbouring countries affected by recent Iranian missile and drone strikes, while declaring that Iran will not surrender to pressure from Israel and the United States.
In a speech broadcast on state television, Pezeshkian said Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves.”
Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparking a wider regional conflict.
Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US interests across the region, particularly in Gulf countries.
Pezeshkian is one of three members of an interim leadership council currently governing Iran following Khamenei’s death.
During his address, he apologised to neighbouring countries affected by Iranian strikes, saying they would not be targeted unless attacks against Iran were launched from their territories.
“I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said.
“The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no further attacks will be carried out against neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.”
