Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologised to Gulf neighbours for recent drone and missile strikes, saying Tehran regrets targeting countries in the region and would halt further attacks unless they are used as bases for strikes against Iran. In a televised address, he said disputes should be resolved through diplomacy but insisted Iran would never surrender to the United States, dismissing calls for unconditional capitulation.

His remarks were undermined hours later when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had targeted United States military bases in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, warning that all American and Israeli assets in the region would be considered primary targets if attacks on Iran continue. Qatar said it intercepted a missile and raised its security alert level.

The apology comes amid an escalating conflict triggered by joint Israeli and United States strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and damaged key infrastructure. Fresh overnight raids saw Israeli warplanes strike Tehran, while Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel and Gulf states, disrupting airports and threatening shipping routes. Casualties have mounted across Iran, Lebanon, Israel and among United States forces as the war enters its second week.