Iranian President Said He Would "Halt Attacks"…Hours Later, Airstrikes Hit Gulf States

Only hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to Gulf countries and said he would halt attacks, Gulf states including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar were hit in successive Iranian strikes.

According to reports from international news agencies including AP, AFP and Reuters, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said that in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, Iranian airstrikes on the afternoon of the 7th (local time) set fire to buildings including homes and caused property damage.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it attacked the U.S. military base in Juffair, Bahrain. The IRGC claimed that earlier in the day an attack had been launched from the Juffair base targeting a desalination plant in Iran, and that it fired missiles in response.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said the country’s air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles and drones over Dubai that evening. In Dubai’s Al Barsha area, debris from an intercepted object fell onto a vehicle, killing an Asian driver, Reuters reported citing Dubai authorities.

Earlier, in a state TV address, President Pezeshkian said, “The interim leadership council approved a plan to halt attacks on neighboring countries as long as those countries do not attack Iran,” adding, “I personally apologize to neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

In connection with this, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “even though President Pezeshkian showed an open stance toward easing regional tensions on the premise that neighboring territory would not be used to attack Iran, the proposal was immediately dismissed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who misunderstood our capabilities, resolve and intentions,” shifting blame for the attacks on neighboring countries to the United States.

He also said, “We warned President Trump’s envoys that war will not enhance America’s negotiating leverage,” and asked, “Was this warning conveyed?”

AP reported that Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, head of the judiciary and another member of the interim leadership council, also suggested there had been no change in Iran’s strategy.

Mohseni Ejei wrote on X, “The terrain of some countries in the region has fallen into the enemy’s hands and is being used for attacks against us,” adding, “Intensified attacks against these targets will continue.”

Parliament (Majles) Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also wrote on X, “As long as U.S. military bases continue to exist in the region, these countries will not be able to enjoy peace.”

Ko Jeong-sam, Hankyung.com reporter jsk@hankyung.com