Iran has announced that it will no longer carry out attacks against neighbouring countries unless military strikes against the country originate from their territory, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
In a report by Al-Jazeera, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the decision was approved by Iran’s interim leadership council as part of efforts to prevent further escalation across the region. The directive has reportedly been communicated to Iran’s armed forces.
The report also says that Pezeshkian, in a broadcast by Iranian state media, also apologised to neighbouring states that had previously been affected by Iranian strikes during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He stressed that Tehran does not seek confrontation with countries in the region.
The announcement comes amid the continuing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which escalated after air strikes targeted Iranian military and strategic facilities.
Since the start of the conflict, Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli positions and on facilities linked to the United States in parts of the Middle East.
Some of the strikes have affected locations in Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.
Despite the new pledge, Iranian officials indicated that the country reserves the right to retaliate if attacks on its territory are launched from neighbouring states.
