Israel-Iran Conflict: Attacks, Apology & Rising Middle East Tensions
BEIRUT/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV – As the conflict entered its second week on , Israel and Iran continued to exchange attacks, while Tehran issued an unusual apology to neighbouring states for its recent actions. The apology, seemingly aimed at calming regional anger over Iranian strikes on civilian targets in Gulf states, came alongside a pledge to halt attacks unless provoked.
“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, urging them not to join attacks on Iran. He dismissed US President Donald Trump’s demand for the “unconditional surrender” of the Islamic Republic as “a dream.” However, Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s interim leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless those attacks originated from their territory.
Despite the conciliatory tone, President Trump cast Iran’s apology as a sign of surrender, while simultaneously warning that Iran would be “hit very hard” on . This conflicting messaging underscores the continued high stakes and volatility of the situation.
Hours after Pezeshkian’s announcement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for drone strikes targeting a US air combat centre at Al Dhafra Air Base, near Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. This claim has not been independently verified.
State media reported that large explosions were heard in several parts of the Iranian capital, Tehran. The ongoing exchange of attacks highlights the escalating nature of the conflict and the potential for further escalation.
The US-Israeli war on Iran has already extended beyond Iran’s borders, with Tehran responding by targeting Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations. Israel has also launched fresh attacks in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah military sites following cross-border fire from the Iran-aligned militia. This regional dimension significantly broadens the scope and complexity of the conflict.
Gulf states have expressed outrage over strikes on their civilian infrastructure – including hotels, ports, and oil facilities – despite their non-involvement in the initial US-Israeli attacks. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have all reported missile or drone attacks over the past week. On , the UAE defence ministry reported destroying 15 ballistic missiles and intercepting 119 drones launched from Iran.
Emirates airline briefly suspended flights to and from Dubai on , citing a “minor” incident resulting from falling debris after an interception. Flights were later resumed. The disruption to air travel underscores the immediate impact of the conflict on civilian life and regional commerce.
The extent to which Pezeshkian’s statement represents a genuine shift in Iranian policy, or merely a warning that Tehran remains prepared to strike across the region, remains unclear. Iran had recently improved relations with its Gulf neighbours, including a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, making the recent attacks particularly jarring.
Iran’s actions have contributed to increased global economic costs, driving up energy prices, disrupting business and logistics links, and eroding confidence in the stability of a critical region for the world economy. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supplies, is effectively shut down.
Pezeshkian’s remarks come amid bleak diplomatic prospects for ending hostilities, with Trump continuing to demand Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.” He reiterated this demand on his Truth Social platform on .
Iran claims the US-Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands, according to Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani. Iranian attacks have reportedly killed 11 people in Israel and at least six US service members.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Pezeshkian over the civilian casualties resulting from the “armed Israeli-American aggression against Iran” and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, according to the Kremlin. This highlights Russia’s diplomatic engagement and its position on the conflict.
Early on , the Iranian army reported its navy had carried out drone strikes against targets in Israel, as well as US gathering points and bases in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, in response to the US submarine attack on its ship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka, which Iran claims killed dozens of sailors.
The Revolutionary Guards also reported striking three positions of separatist groups in Iraq’s Kurdistan region at 4:30 am local time. A spokesperson for the armed forces warned that any action by separatist groups against Iran’s territorial integrity would be met with a forceful response.
Israel launched what its military described as a new wave of strikes on Tehran and Isfahan, while overnight, Israeli military strikes targeted Hezbollah military sites in neighbouring Lebanon. The Israeli military reported that Iran fired seven missile barrages at Israel on , triggering air raid sirens and prompting Israeli air defences to intercept incoming fire.
The US International Development Finance Corp announced it would provide reinsurance for losses up to $20 billion in the Gulf region to bolster confidence for oil and gas shippers. Trump also suggested the US Navy could escort ships in the Gulf, a proposal challenged by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who reportedly welcomed and anticipated any US presence in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also reiterated his demand to have a say in selecting Iran’s new supreme leader, a notion rejected by UN ambassador Iravani, who stated that new leadership would be selected “in accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people – without any foreign interference.” Three influential Iranian clerics urged the swift selection of a new supreme leader to guide the nation during the conflict.
Iran has described the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as an assassination.