Pezeshkian says Iran will halt strikes on neighbours; Trump vows to hit harder

Iran's President Pezeshkian vows to halt strikes on neighbours unless provoked, amid escalating tensions with the U.S. and Israel.

Expressing regret for the damage caused by Iran’s strikes against its neighbours, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday (March 7, 2026) that Tehran would no longer target these countries unless attacks originated from their territory. However, he vowed that Iran would not surrender in its war against the United States and Israel, even as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to intensify strikes.

As the war entered its eighth day, Israel and the U.S. carried out strikes across Iran, particularly targeting the country’s Air Force, while Tehran fired at least eight missile salvos at Israel since midnight. Several Arab countries were targeted in drone and missile attacks despite Mr. Pezeshkian’s remarks.

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“Iran has never planned, nor will ever plan, an invasion of any neighbour,” Mr. Pezeshkian said in a televised address. “We have repeatedly said that they are our brothers. We aim to work hand-in-hand with our dear brothers and neighbours in the region to establish lasting peace and stability,” he noted.

He said that Tehran’s interim leadership council has decided that neighbouring countries would not be targeted “unless those countries launch an attack on us,” state media reported. He also said Iran “regretted” any damages caused to non-military assets hit by Iranian strikes.

On Friday (March 6), Mr. Trump ruled out a deal with Iran’s leadership and demanded “unconditional surrender”. Mr. Pezeshkian insisted this would never happen. “The enemies will take the dream of Iran’s surrender to their grave,” he said, as per a translation of the speech in the State media.