Iran sends first significant message of de-escalation, but with a major caveat Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a statement on Friday announcing that Tehran would halt attacks on Gulf neighbors under specific conditions, but the announcement was immediately followed by large-scale strikes. The attacks, which included 16 ballistic missiles and 121 drones targeting the United Arab Emirates alone, occurred just days after the one-week anniversary of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s killing in US-Israeli strikes. Pezeshkian’s decision to pause attacks was framed as a conditional measure, with Iran reserving the right to retaliate if strikes originated from the territories of the United States or Israel. Since assuming office, Pezeshkian has consistently portrayed himself as a reformist leader seeking to mend Iran’s international image. His tenure has been marked by public apologies for economic mismanagement, the suppression of protests, and government inefficiencies. However, his recent remarks on behalf of Iran’s armed forces shifted focus to justifying the targeting of Gulf Arab states, emphasizing the necessity of defending the nation “with dignity and strength.” This rhetoric aligns with longstanding justifications used by Iranian leaders to rationalize military actions against regional adversaries. The ambiguity surrounding Iran’s strategic priorities deepens as the Leadership Council, of which Pezeshkian is now a member following the deaths of other key leaders in US-Israeli strikes, struggles to coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).#united_arab_emirates #supreme_leader_ali_khamenei #islamic_revolutionary_guard_corps #iranian_president_masoud_pezeshkian #leadership_council
Iran War Escalates as Trump Threatens Escalation, Tehran Apologizes to Gulf Neighbors The conflict between Iran and the United States has intensified, with President Donald Trump signaling a potential escalation of military actions against Iran. In a televised address, Trump warned that Iran “will be hit very hard” this weekend, with new areas of the country under consideration for “complete destruction and certain death.” Iranian officials have responded by vowing to continue targeting U.S. assets in retaliation for attacks on their territory. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighboring Gulf states, acknowledging that Tehran’s strikes had caused harm. However, he emphasized that Iran would continue targeting areas where U.S. attacks originate. Fresh strikes were reported in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, with sirens sounding across the region and security alerts sent to mobile phones in Doha, Qatar. Despite the apology, Iranian military officials confirmed that missile and drone attacks on U.S. and Gulf targets had resumed. The escalation coincided with the one-week anniversary of the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in strikes by the United States and Israel. Pezeshkian, a reformist leader, has repeatedly expressed regret over the country’s economic decline, the deaths of protesters during demonstrations, and government inefficiencies. In his latest statement, he defended Iran’s military actions, claiming they were necessary to “defend our homeland with dignity and strength.” However, tensions remain within Iran’s leadership, as the Revolutionary Guards have independently launched attacks, raising questions about whether the Leadership Council, which Pezeshkian now belongs to, aligns with the goals of the armed forces.#iran #united_states #donald_trump #supreme_leader_ali_khamenei #masoud_pezeshkian
Trump takes credit for Iran's apology to neighbors; hints at targeting more leaders US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed credit for Iran’s recent apology to its Middle Eastern neighbors, asserting that the country had been “beat to hell” by US and Israeli military actions. He warned that Iran would face “very hard” consequences, including potential “complete destruction and death,” for its “bad behaviour.” Trump suggested that Tehran’s decision to apologize and halt attacks on regional countries was a direct result of sustained pressure from the United States and Israel. The apology followed a week of intense conflict in the region, triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and destroyed multiple strategic infrastructure sites. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The attacks damaged critical infrastructure and bases linked to the United States and its allies, escalating tensions across the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran had been “hit very hard” and forced to apologize after what he described as relentless attacks by the US and Israel. He claimed that Tehran’s pledge to stop targeting neighboring countries was a sign of “defeat” and called it the first time in “thousands of years” that Iran had lost to its Middle Eastern neighbors. Trump also hinted at considering new targets within Iran for “complete destruction,” suggesting that the country’s leadership had failed to assert dominance in the region. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a rare apology to Gulf states on Saturday, acknowledging the damage caused by Iran’s attacks.#iran #israel #donald_trump #supreme_leader_ali_khamenei #masoud_pezeshkian
Iran and Israel Exchange Strikes Amid Escalating Conflict Explosions rocked Tehran hours after dramatic footage showed flames engulfing Mehrabad International Airport, as Israel launched a “broad-scale wave of strikes” targeting Iranian military infrastructure. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed using over 80 fighter jets in pre-dawn attacks, focusing on sites including a military university, missile storage facilities, and command centers. Iranian state media reported the strikes, with footage showing smoke rising from the airport and explosions in western Tehran. The extent of damage to the airport remains unclear, though Iranian officials claimed it was hit. Iran’s leadership responded with retaliatory strikes, targeting Israeli and Gulf nations. Regional allies such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE reported repelling attacks, while the U.S. military claimed to have struck more than 3,000 Iranian targets since the conflict began. President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Tehran, vowing no negotiations without “unconditional surrender.” Meanwhile, Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, dismissed U.S. demands, stating, “They will take their dreams of our unconditional surrender to the grave.” Pezeshkian’s remarks came amid a power vacuum following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with a three-person council temporarily governing the country. Iranian state media highlighted the damage to Tehran’s sports center, describing debris-filled rooms, a ruined gym, and a destroyed library. The IRIB report also noted a mosque was “completely damaged.” Israeli officials emphasized the strikes targeted military assets, including the Imam Hossein military university, which trains Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers.#iran #israel #mehrabad_international_airport #supreme_leader_ali_khamenei #emirates_airlines
Aliyev mobilises army following Iranian drone attack on Azerbaijan Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the mobilisation of armed forces after an Iranian drone strike targeted Nakhchivan International Airport, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals. Aliyev emphasized that troops must be prepared for any operation, though he clarified Azerbaijan would not engage in hostilities against Iran this time. The attack occurred hours after the strike, which Iran denied, blaming Israel for orchestrating the incident as a false flag operation. During a Security Council meeting, Aliyev condemned the attack as a “terrorist act,” citing previous Iranian aggression, including the 2023 assault on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran. He accused Tehran of failing to protect the embassy during the attack, which lasted 40 minutes. Aliyev also criticized Iran for allegedly allowing Israel to target Azerbaijan during the June 2025 conflict, calling the accusations a “dirty, defamatory campaign” aimed at discrediting Azerbaijan. He highlighted the significance of Iran’s ethnic Azerbaijani population in the northwest, which constitutes 25% of the country’s population. Aliyev claimed Iran had requested Azerbaijan’s assistance in evacuating Iranian Embassy staff stranded in Lebanon, which was under Israeli attack. He stated he immediately ordered the evacuation but accused Tehran of responding with the drone strike, calling the attack a “vile and dishonorable” act. He also referenced his visit to the Iranian Embassy to meet Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, noting it was the first time a head of state had visited an Iranian embassy for such a purpose.#iran #supreme_leader_ali_khamenei #nakhchivan_international_airport #ilham_aliyev #azerbaijan_embassy_tehran
