Iran halts attacks on neighbors, apologizes, but warns against aggression

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Saturday that Tehran will halt military attacks on neighboring countries, conditioned only on those nations not launching strikes from their territory against Iran. In a televised address reported by state-run Press TV, Pezeshkian announced that "the temporary leadership council decided yesterday that there will be no more attacks on neighboring countries and no missile launches unless attacks originate from those countries against Iran."

Apology and Reassurance

Pezeshkian offered a direct apology to regional countries amid escalating tensions, emphasizing that Iran harbors "no intention of invading other countries." The statement appears designed to reassure Gulf states and other neighbors who have faced waves of Iranian drone and missile strikes since Tehran began retaliating for the US-Israeli offensive that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of others on February 28.

Rejection of Unconditional Surrender

While signaling de-escalation, the Iranian president firmly dismissed any expectation of capitulation, stating that those who nurse hopes for Iran's unconditional surrender "will take their dreams to the grave." The remarks come as President Donald Trump claimed earlier Saturday that Iran had "surrendered" and warned of further strikes against previously untargeted areas. Iran's retaliatory campaign has caused casualties and damage to civilian sites including ports and residential buildings across the region.