Iran Announces Suspension of Attacks on Neighboring Countries Amid Escalating Conflict

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that its temporary leadership council had approved the suspension of attacks against neighboring countries unless an attack on Iran came from those nations. The announcement came as Iran continued to launch strikes across the region in response to ongoing US-Israeli operations targeting the Islamic Republic.

The statement follows a week of escalating hostilities in the region. Israel and Iran exchanged attacks on Saturday as the conflict entered its second week, while Tehran issued an apology to neighboring states for its actions, aiming to ease regional tensions over Iranian strikes on Gulf Arab civilian targets.

“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” Pezeshkian said. The remarks were interpreted as an attempt to limit the war’s regional spillover, though it remains unclear whether Iran intends a long-term de-escalation. Some reports indicated that Iranian strikes continued toward Gulf states on Saturday morning despite the announcement.

The conflict has already spread beyond Iran’s borders. Tehran has carried out strikes targeting Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations, while Israel has launched attacks against Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah armed group. Over the past week, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have reported drone and missile attacks, raising concerns over civilian safety and regional stability.

Analysts note that the temporary leadership council’s decision may reflect a strategic effort to prevent further international backlash while maintaining Iran’s ability to respond to direct threats. How far Pezeshkian’s statement signals an actual reduction in attacks, or whether it represents a tactical pause, remains uncertain.

The announcement also comes against the backdrop of recent diplomatic engagement between Iran and its Gulf neighbors. In recent years, Iran had worked to repair relations with states including Saudi Arabia, following years of strained ties. The apology to neighboring countries may be part of an effort to preserve those diplomatic gains while managing the fallout from the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States.

As the situation evolves, regional governments continue to monitor Iranian activity closely, and civilian populations remain on alert for potential attacks. The coming days will be critical in determining whether Iran’s suspension of strikes represents a genuine shift toward restraint or if the conflict is likely to escalate further across the Middle East.