Iran Says Neighbours Will Not Be Targeted as Conflict Enters Second Week

Tehran: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced that Tehran will no longer target neighbouring countries unless attacks against Iran originate from their territories, as the conflict involving the United States and Israel entered its second week.

Pezeshkian said the decision was approved by Iran’s interim leadership council on Friday. In a prerecorded statement broadcast by Iranian media, the president also apologised to neighbouring countries for the strikes that occurred in recent days during Iran’s retaliation across the Gulf region.

He accused the US and Israel of launching attacks on residential areas, schools and hospitals, calling the strikes a violation of international law. Pezeshkian urged Iranians to remain united and defend the country’s sovereignty amid the ongoing conflict.

Responding to calls from US President Donald Trump demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” Pezeshkian rejected the demand, saying such expectations were unrealistic.

“Unconditional surrender is only a dream that they must take with them to the grave,” he said, adding that Iran would continue to act within the framework of international law and humanitarian principles.

The remarks came as hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States continued to escalate across the region.