Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said that neighbouring countries will no longer be attacked unless an attack on Iran originates from there. Pezeshkian also apologised to the neighbouring countries for the strikes that took place in the past few days.
His five-minute statement was pre-recorded and covered a wide range of recent developments.
“The temporary leadership council approved yesterday that there will be no more attacks on neighbouring countries and no missile launches, unless an attack originates from those countries against Iran,” he said in the statement.
He said in the statement that residential areas, schools and hospitals were being attacked, breaching international law.
The Iranian president also called for unity and solidarity among the people to defend the sovereignty of the country.
He also rejected US President Donald Trumps call for Iran's "unconditional surrender" and said that the Americans have to "take their wish to their graves."
He apologised for the attacks on the regional countries and insisted that Tehran would stop them, suggesting that they were caused by miscommunication in the ranks.
Earlier Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had stated that IRGC was operating independently on prior orders given by the supreme leader before his death.
However, even as the statement was aired, an interception was heard over Doha. Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed the interception moments later.
Many Gulf countries reported that they were intercepting ballistic missiles and drones early on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Fars news agency reported that about 6,668 civilian units were targeted by the US and Israel in airstrikes after the war began on February 28.
The report said that 5,535 residential units, 1,041 commercial units, 14 medical centres, 65 schools and 13 centres affiliated with the Iranian Red Crescent Society were targeted.