Pezeshkian grilled after apologizing for ‘fire at will’ strikes on neighbors Iranian political and media figures criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday after he apologized for what he described as “fire at will” attacks by Iran’s armed forces on neighboring countries. Pezeshkian announced that the temporary leadership council had ordered the military to cease targeting neighboring nations and to halt missile strikes unless an attack on Iran originated from those countries. He emphasized that the armed forces had previously operated under a “fire at will” directive but were now instructed to avoid such actions. Pezeshkian also issued a personal apology for the situation. Lawmakers and officials responded with sharp criticism, accusing the president of undermining national defense. Mohammad Manan Raeisi, a Qom representative, called the apology “humiliating” and questioned the need for the Assembly of Experts to select a new leader. He argued that Iran’s military had a justified role in striking enemy assets in neighboring countries, including those supporting adversaries. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the parliament’s national security committee, stated that all U.S. and Israeli bases in the region were “legitimate targets” in the ongoing conflict, asserting that Iran’s defense of national interests had no red lines. Media figures also expressed skepticism about Pezeshkian’s message. Ezzatollah Zarghami, a former culture minister, claimed the apology created confusion about Iran’s military conduct. He noted that neither the armed forces nor the regional conflict described by the “martyred imam” could be interpreted in multiple ways. Another critic, Nili, accused the president of showing weakness, arguing that an apology implied a mistake, which he claimed did not exist.#iran #masoud_pezeshkian #mohammad_manan_raeisi #ezzatollah_zarghami #ezra_zarif
