Tehran (TDI): Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Saturday that the country will suspend missile and drone attacks on neighboring states unless it is directly attacked, signaling a partial de-escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Iran will never surrender to Israel or the United States, stating, “Enemies must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves.” The remarks came as the war between the US-Israel coalition and Iran enters its second week following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.
Pezeshkian, one of three members of the interim leadership council managing Iran since Khamenei’s death, also offered an apology to neighboring countries affected by Iran’s attacks. “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 council has decided that no further attacks will be launched against neighboring nations unless those countries initiate hostilities against Iran. Pezeshkian emphasized that the policy aims to limit regional escalation while maintaining Iran’s defensive posture.
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Despite the announcement, Iran continues to target US and Israeli assets across the region, mainly in the Gulf, in retaliation for the coalition’s strikes on Iranian military and strategic sites. Analysts suggest the move may help reduce tensions with neighboring states while allowing Iran to maintain pressure on its main adversaries.
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Experts also note that the statement could be an attempt to open the door for limited diplomatic engagement with Gulf countries while signaling to the US and Israel that Iran remains unwilling to capitulate.
