Iran apologises to Gulf but war still rages across region

Israel and Iran traded attacks as the Middle East war entered a second week on Saturday, while ​Tehran made an unusual apology to neighbouring states for its "actions", apparently seeking to calm regional anger at Iranian strikes on Gulf civilian targets, Reuters reported.

“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” Iranian ‌President Masoud Pezeshkian said, urging them not to join U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

He dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for the Islamic Republic's unconditional surrender as "a dream", but said its temporary leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless strikes on Iran originated from their territory.

Trump nonetheless cast Iran's apology as a surrender, while saying the country would be "hit very hard" on Saturday.

Pezeshkian’s comments caused a political stir in Iran, prompting his office to reiterate Iran's military would respond firmly to attacks from U.S. bases in the region. Hamid Rasai, a hardline cleric and lawmaker, wrote on X "Mr Pezeshkian, your stance was unprofessional, weak and unacceptable".

Hours after Pezeshkian's announcement, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said their drones struck a U.S. air combat centre at Al Dhafra Air Base, near Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Reuters could not independently verify that report.

Huge explosions were heard in several parts of the Iranian capital, state media reported.