Iran vows no strikes on nearby states - But explosions shake Dubai, Abu Dhabi, other neighbours
Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf nations and said Iran would stop strikes on Arab neighbours unless attacks on Iran originate from those countries, stressing that neighbouring states are “brothers.”
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday (local time) apologised to the Gulf countries, saying that Tehran would stop striking its Arab neighbours unless any attacks on Iran originated from those countries, Iran International reported.
In a video message released Saturday, Pezeshkian said, "The temporary leadership council approved yesterday that neighbouring countries should no longer be targeted and missiles should not be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.”
He went on to say that the armed forces so far had acted with a kind of 'fire at will' authority; however, they have now been notified that they must not attack neighbouring countries or target them with missiles.
The Iranian President also warned the groups in neighbouring countries and said, “To groups in neighbouring countries who may think of using this opportunity to attack our territory, I send this message: do not become tools of imperialism.”
However, it is not clear whether Pezeshkian's announcement came into effect immediately, since after his address, interceptions continued over the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and sirens rang in Bahrain, CNN reported.
US-Israel, Iran war enters day 8
Pezeshkian's address comes as the US-Israel war in Iran enters day eight, with several Middle East countries bearing the brunt of the war. After the US and Israel targeted Tehran's key military and naval forces on 28 February and killed the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran retaliated and launched missiles targeting Israel and US military installations in Gulf countries. As a result, loud explosions have been heard in cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama, Riyadh, Doha, and others.
Iran strikes Gulf states as fighting spreads
According to an AP report, sirens sounded in Bahrain earlier today as the conflict widened and Iran launched attacks targeting the island kingdom.
The Bahraini military said Saturday that since the beginning of the Iranian attacks against the kingdom, 86 missiles and 148 drones had been intercepted and destroyed, CNN reported.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia said that it destroyed drones that were headed towards its Shaybah oil field and shot down a ballistic missile that was launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces. In the UAE, Dubai Airport, which is one of the busiest in the world, came under drone attack multiple times, with passengers reporting at least one impact and several interceptions, resulting in the suspension of departures for at least several hours.
Qatar's Defence Ministry announced that a ballistic missile attack had been repelled. Iran's military said it had launched missiles and drones against US military bases in Bahrain and Qatar.
US says more intense bombing ahead
According to an AP report, there seems to be no end to the conflict. US President Donald Trump's administration has recently approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel after Trump said that he would not negotiate with Iran without its "unconditional surrender," and US officials warned of a forthcoming bombing campaign they claimed would be the most intense yet.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.