Arabic version: قيادة إيران ترسل إشارات متضاربة بشأن الهجمات في الخليج
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered an apology to neighbouring countries that have been subjected to Tehran’s retaliatory strikes since the United States and Israel launched a military offensive on the country. However, his remarks were met with disapproval from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which expressed its disapproval of the president’s remarks on Saturday, warning neighbouring countries that Tehran would continue attacks if U.S. and Israeli forces used their territory to attack Iran.
According to Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian expressed regret for any damage caused to neighbouring countries during a recorded message, stating that Iran did not intend to violate their sovereignty. He asserted that the Iranian armed forces are heroes defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
In contrast, the IRGC issued a statement declaring its commitment to respect the sovereignty of neighbouring nations while simultaneously asserting that military bases and interests of the U.S. and Israel would become targets if hostilities persisted. Pezeshkian later clarified that Iran’s actions were aimed at U.S. military installations rather than its neighbours.
The mixed messages from Iranian leaders have raised questions about the true nature of Iran’s stance towards its Gulf neighbours. While Pezeshkian attempted to reassure regional countries of Iran’s goodwill, other officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, underscored Tehran’s right to self-defence. The situation remains tense as Iranian strikes continue across the Gulf, with reports of attacks impacting countries like Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Experts have noted that the IRGC’s influence over Iran’s foreign policy complicates the interpretation of civilian leaders’ statements. The ongoing conflict has led to further military engagements, including a recent Iranian drone attack on a desalination plant in Bahrain, highlighting the precarious security environment in the region.
