Tehran:Iranian PresidentMasoud Pezeshkianhas said that his recent comments regarding attacks affecting Gulf countries weremisinterpreted by opponents attempting to create divisions within Iran’s leadership.

Speaking onstate television, Pezeshkian clarified that Iran seeks friendly relations with neighbouring countries and does not intend to create tensions in the region.

“We have always said that we are brothers and should maintain good relations with our neighbours,” he said, adding that Iran only responds to attacks but does not seek conflict with neighbouring states or their people.

Apology to Gulf Nations Sparks Debate

The clarification follows Pezeshkian’s earlier remarks in which heapologised to neighbouring Gulf countriesaffected by Iranian attacks targetingUS military bases and assets in the Middle East.

During that statement, the Iranian president urged regional countriesnot to join the US–Israel campaign against Iranand said Tehran had no intention of escalating tensions with its neighbours.

He also rejected US PresidentDonald Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender, describing the idea as unrealistic.

However, the apology triggeredcriticism from hardline political groups within Iran, who argued that the statement appeared to soften the country’s stance during the ongoing conflict.

Iranian Officials Clarify War Strategy

Following the domestic criticism, Iranian officials stressed that the country’smilitary response would continue if attacks were launched from US bases in the region.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said there wasno disagreement among Iran’s leadership regarding the country’s war strategy.

Trump Rejects Negotiation With Iran

Meanwhile, US PresidentDonald Trumphas indicated that Washington isnot currently interested in negotiations with Tehran.

Trump suggested the war could effectively end if Iran’smilitary capabilities and leadership structure were dismantled.

Speaking to reporters aboardAir Force One, Trump said continued military operations might leave Iran unable to continue the conflict.

Conflict Expands Across the Region

The war betweenIran, Israel, and the United Statesentered itssecond week, with fresh strikes and retaliatory attacks reported across the region.

Explosions were reported in parts ofTehran, while Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted Israeli territory.

Iran has also launched attacks onUS military bases and regional allies hosting American forces, including locations inSaudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

The conflict has also spread toLebanon, where Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah strongholds, including areas inBeirut’s southern suburbs.

Impact on Global Energy Markets

The escalating conflict has also affectedglobal energy markets, with tensions in the Gulf region disrupting supply routes and pushingoil prices to multi-year highs.

Several energy producers in the region have reportedly reduced output amid the growing security risks.

The situation remains volatile as military operations continue across multiple parts of the Middle East.