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3. Iranian President Apologizes to Neighbors as Trump Threatens Expanded Strikes

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized on Saturday to neighboring countries for attacks launched during the Islamic Republic’s war with Israel and the United States, while vowing that Iran would not target them again unless attacks against Tehran originate from their territory.

“I apologize… to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran,” Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on state television.

He added that Iran’s interim leadership council had decided to halt strikes on neighboring states. “The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighboring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries,” the Iranian president said.

The council has been governing Iran since the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes last week, an event that triggered a wider Middle East war.

Despite the apology, Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone regarding the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. “The enemies must take their wish for the surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” he said, insisting that Iran would not capitulate as the war entered its second week.

U.S. Presdient Trump Responds

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled the possibility of further American military action.

“Today Iran will be hit very hard!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, warning that Washington was considering expanding strikes to additional targets.

“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.

Trump’s post came shortly after Pezeshkian’s apology and pledge not to strike neighboring countries again unless attacks on Iran originate from their territory. However, in practice, the apology coincided with residents and citizens in several Gulf countries receiving warnings about potential incoming Iranian strikes.

The conflicting developments underscore the volatility of the rapidly expanding regional conflict, with diplomatic gestures unfolding alongside ongoing military threats and alerts across the Middle East.