Iran's president has apologised to his country's neighbours for involving them in drone strikes.
28 February's US-Israeli attack on Iran has caused widespread disruption across the wider Middle East, with retaliatory Iranian strikes causing chaos across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Various locations have also been targeted in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Azerbaijan.
The attacks have led to increased hostility towards Iran, with Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al Ansari telling press that 'all red lines have already been crossed'.
Now Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an apology for the attacks, vowing that no more attacks will take place unless they are attacked first.
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"I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked," Pezeshkian said on Iranian state TV.
Iran's decision to strike back across the Gulf followed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by airstrikes on the opening day of the conflict.
Pezeshkian has now called the stikes a 'miscommunication', saying: "Our armed forces, when their commanders were gone conducted the operations that were necessary."
He then went on to promise that Iran would not fire on neighbouring countries 'unless attacked first'.
"We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries," he said. "From now on, do not attack neighbouring countries unless attacked first.
"The interim council approved that decision yesterday."
It is not currently clear how this change will impact air travel across the region.
An Iranian armed forces spokesperson has since claimed that strikes against US and Israeli assets in region will 'continue', with recent missile interceptions taking place over Qatar and the UAE. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have since confirmed they targeted an airbase close to Abu Dhabi in a 'major strike'.
He also refused to agree to demands made by US leader Donald Trump, who said that Iran must surrender.
"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The post follows comments made by Trump in the White House, in which the 79-year-old suggested that anyone who didn't surrender would face 'guaranteed death'.
"I'm once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military and the police to lay down their arms," he said.
"You'll be perfectly safe with total immunity or you'll face absolutely guaranteed death, and I don't want to see that."
Pezeshkian brushed off these demands, saying demands for surrender were 'a dream that they should to take to their grave'.
"Those considering exploiting this moment to attack Iran must not become puppets of imperialism," he added.
Topics: World News, US News, Donald Trump, Iran
Brenna Cooper