Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an apology to neighbouring countries that were struck during Iran’s recent conflict with Israel and the United States, while also signalling a shift in Tehran’s approach to regional military actions.
Speaking in a televised address broadcast by state media on Saturday, Pezeshkian expressed regret for the strikes that affected nearby countries during the escalation of hostilities.
“I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” Pezeshkian said during the speech.
The remarks come as Iran seeks to ease tensions across the region following a period of heightened conflict involving missile launches and military operations linked to the broader confrontation with Israel and the United States. Several countries in the region reported security concerns as the conflict intensified, raising fears that the fighting could spread beyond the primary participants.
Pezeshkian said the government’s interim leadership council had reached a new agreement regarding Iran’s military posture toward neighbouring states. According to the president, the council decided that Iran would halt attacks on nearby countries unless they were used as a base for operations against Iranian territory.
“The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries,” he said.
The statement signals an effort by Iranian authorities to reassure regional governments that Tehran does not intend to widen the conflict. Analysts say the announcement may also be aimed at preventing further diplomatic strain with neighbouring states that could become involved in the dispute.
Iran shares borders with several countries across the Middle East and Central Asia, many of which have sought to maintain stability during the recent escalation. Regional governments have repeatedly called for restraint and urged all parties involved in the conflict to avoid actions that could endanger civilian populations or disrupt regional security.
The president’s apology also reflects growing pressure on governments across the region to contain the fallout from the war. Airspace disruptions, missile interceptions and security alerts in several neighbouring countries have highlighted the risk that military exchanges could spill across borders.
While Pezeshkian’s statement emphasised Iran’s intention to avoid targeting neighbouring states, he reiterated that the country would continue to respond if attacks were launched against it from foreign territory. The message underscores Tehran’s position that it will defend itself if it believes threats originate from nearby locations.
It remains unclear how neighbouring governments will respond to the apology and the policy announcement. Diplomatic observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the statement leads to a broader easing of tensions in the region or remains largely symbolic.
