Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologised to neighbouring Gulf states following a wave of drone and missile attacks, saying Tehran will halt strikes against nearby countries unless they are used as launch points for attacks on Iran.
Speaking on state television on Saturday, Pezeshkian said Iran had “no intention of aggression” towards its regional neighbours and described them as “our brothers”.
“There will be no further attacks or missile launches towards neighbouring countries, unless attacks against Iran originate from those countries,” the president said.
The statement comes amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel. Early on Saturday (7 March), Israel launched a new wave of large-scale air strikes on Iran, with powerful explosions reported in several areas of Tehran, particularly in the western parts of the capital.
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported blasts in both eastern and western districts of Tehran. Videos circulating on social media also appeared to show Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on fire, with eyewitnesses reporting a plane burning on the tarmac following the strikes.
Mehrabad International Airport.
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) March 6, 2026
Possible strikes on fuel storage and at least one plane might be on fire (pic 2). https://t.co/gSuzBaiaOd pic.twitter.com/O84LX561ad
The Israeli military said its forces had carried out “large-scale” attacks targeting government and military sites in the Iranian capital. The strikes followed Iranian missile attacks on central and southern Israel late on Friday, which triggered air raid sirens and prompted the activation of Israel’s air defence systems.
Iran has continued to retaliate with barrages of missiles towards Israel, according to the Israeli army, as the exchange of strikes between the two countries intensifies.
Meanwhile, several Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, reported coming under drone and missile attacks on Friday targeting infrastructure and civilian sites, prompting Pezeshkian’s apology and pledge to avoid further attacks on neighbouring countries.
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With information from: Financial Times / BBC
