‘Misunderstood by enemies’: Iran’s president clarifies comments on Gulf attacks after Trump’s ‘surrender’ statement

iranian president Massoud Pezeshkian On Sunday, he said his comments about attacks affecting Gulf states had been “misunderstood by enemies” after his comments were widely seen as a possible moratorium on attacks on neighboring countries.Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian said Iran seeks good relations with countries in the region and has no intention of creating divisions with its neighbors, adding that his remarks “were misinterpreted by enemies who are trying to create divisions with their neighbors.”

Click to view real-time updates“People have repeatedly said that we are brothers and must maintain good relations with our neighbors. However, we are forced to retaliate against the attacks, but this does not mean that we have disputes with our neighbors or want to anger their people,” he said, according to Reuters, citing state media. Pezeshkian’s earlier comments, which included an apology to Gulf neighbors affected by Iran’s attacks on U.S. military installations in the region, sparked debate at home and across the region.He had earlier said: “I personally apologize to the neighboring countries affected by Iran’s actions,” while urging these countries not to join the US-Israeli military operations against Iran.The Iranian president also said that Tehran’s interim leadership council had agreed to stop attacks on neighboring countries unless attacks against Iran came from its territory.However, the statement was criticized by hardliners within Iran. A deputy leader in the presidential office later clarified that Iranian forces would continue to “resolutely respond” to any attacks launched from U.S. bases in the region.Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on state television that there were no differences among Iranian leaders over the country’s strategy in the current conflict.Pezeshkian’s latest comments may have come in reaction to remarks by US President Donald Trump. Trump responded to Pezeshkian’s statement on Saturday, claiming Iran had actually apologized and suggesting it showed weakness.Trump later warned the United States could expand its targets. “He could have been talking about oil facilities a few hours ago,” Izadi, a professor at the University of Tehran, said of Trump’s remarks.“After the video was released, Trump issued a Truth Society statement saying Iran had apologized and saying it showed they were surrendering,” Izadi said, adding that the response prompted criticism of Pezeshkian from domestic political opponents.Trump, meanwhile, said Washington had no intention of negotiating with Tehran as the conflict intensified.Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday that ongoing military action could make negotiations unnecessary if Iran’s leadership structure collapses. “At some point, I don’t think there’s going to be anyone left to say, ‘We surrender,'” he said.The conflict entered its second week as Israeli forces launched new attacks across Iran, including in Tehran. Iranian authorities say U.S. and Israeli actions have killed at least 1,332 civilians and injured thousands more, while Iranian missile and drone strikes have killed 10 people in Israel.Iran has also targeted U.S. military installations and allies where U.S. troops are stationed. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reported drone incidents over the weekend, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they attacked U.S. troops at a base in Bahrain.The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, with Israel warning the Lebanese government that it will face “a very heavy price” if it fails to contain the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Israeli attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, have reportedly killed about 300 people since Monday.The escalating war has also roiled global energy markets, with chaos in the Gulf pushing oil prices to multi-year highs and prompting some regional producers to cut output.