DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s president apologized Saturday for attacks on neighboring countries even as Iranian missiles and drones continued flying toward Gulf Arab states, highlighting growing concerns that Tehran’s civilian leadership may no longer have full control over its military forces.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is currently part of a three-member leadership council governing Iran, delivered the message one week into a rapidly escalating regional conflict. The war began after a Feb. 28 airstrike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering widespread retaliation and drawing multiple countries into the crisis. Since then, hundreds of Israeli and U.S. airstrikes have targeted sites across Iran, leaving the country’s leadership structure severely weakened.
In a brief video message that appeared to be recorded hastily without professional broadcast equipment, Pezeshkian also rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for Iran to surrender, signaling Tehran’s intent to continue resisting despite mounting pressure.
The statement also underscored the limited authority Iran’s political leadership appears to have over the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The paramilitary force, which controls much of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, previously answered directly to Khamenei. With his death, analysts say the Guard may now be operating with greater independence, selecting targets on its own as the conflict spreads across the region.
The ongoing attacks and expanding military operations have already shaken global markets, disrupted international air travel, and raised fears of a broader regional war, as Gulf nations brace for continued missile and drone strikes.
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