Arab states in the Gulf and beyond that house US assets have been targeted in Iranian retaliatory strikes in the war.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said neighbouring countries will no longer be targeted unless an attack originates from there, as the war launched by the United States and Israel, which triggered sustained retaliation from Tehran across the Gulf and beyond, enters its second week.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the bombing of Iran on Saturday.
“Today Iran will be hit very hard!” Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform.
“Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time,” he added, without elaborating.
Pezeshkian said the Iranian interim leadership council approved the motion to stop attacks on neighbouring nations. In remarks carried by Iranian media, the president also apologised to neighbouring countries for the strikes that took place in recent days.
Trump issued a maximalist position on Friday to Iran demanding “unconditional surrender”, but Pezeshkian baulked at the comments.
“That we surrender unconditionally is a dream that they must take with themselves to the grave. What we adhere to are international laws and humanitarian frameworks,” he said.
