NEWS
BREAKING:Iran Signals Strategic Shift: Pezeshkian Says Tehran Will Only Strike Neighbors if Attacks Originate From Their Territory. Click on the link for more story.
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Amid escalating tensions across the Middle East, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced a significant change in Tehran’s military posture, stating that Iran will refrain from attacking neighboring countries unless attacks against Iran are launched from their territory.
The announcement came during a televised address in which Pezeshkian sought to reassure regional governments following recent missile and drone strikes linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
According to the Iranian leader, the country’s interim leadership council has approved a policy halting strikes on neighboring states unless they become launching points for attacks on Iranian soil.
“Iran will not carry out attacks or missile strikes against neighboring countries unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran has “no intention of invading other nations.”
The statement follows weeks of rising regional tensions, during which Iranian missiles and drones were reported to have targeted locations across the Gulf region, including areas hosting U.S. military installations.
Several neighboring states condemned the strikes, warning that such actions violated their sovereignty and could draw them deeper into the conflict.
In an effort to ease regional concerns, Pezeshkian also issued an apology to neighboring countries affected by the attacks.
Analysts say the remarks appear aimed at preventing the war from expanding into a broader regional confrontation involving Gulf states.
However, the announcement has sparked debate both inside and outside Iran.
Some observers question whether the policy represents a genuine de-escalation or a strategic warning that countries hosting foreign military forces—particularly U.S. bases—could still become targets if those facilities are used to launch operations against Iran.
With the Middle East already on edge, the statement highlights Tehran’s attempt to balance deterrence with diplomacy.
While Iran continues to vow retaliation against its adversaries, the new policy suggests its leadership may be seeking to limit the spread of the conflict and avoid drawing additional countries directly into the war.
