Iran sends first significant message of de-escalation, but with a major caveat

Moments after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an apparently prerecorded statement that Tehran would halt attacks on its Gulf neighbors under certain conditions, several reported new strikes.

The launches were some of the largest since the war began and coincided with the one-week anniversary of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s killing in strikes by the United States and Israel.

Pezeshkian said the decision to stop attacks on the Gulf unless strikes on Iran originated from those countries’ territories was taken Friday. On Saturday morning, Iran fired 16 ballistic missiles and 121 drones on the United Arab Emirates alone.

Still, in what are the highest-level de-escalatory comments so far from Iran, Pezeshkian apologized to his neighbors for days of strikes that have sparked panic in areas once thought safe.

Since taking office, the reformist leader has presented himself with an almost constant air of regret, issuing multiple public apologies during his tenure – for the sharp deterioration of the national economy, the killing of thousands of protesters during demonstrations and the persistent inefficiencies of his own government.

Now he’s apologizing on behalf of Iran’s armed forces, saying they “acted on their own authority and did what was necessary to defend our homeland with dignity and strength,” a recurring message from some Iranian leaders justifying the heavy targeting of cities across the Gulf Arab states.

Unknown future

It is unclear whether the pronouncements of the Leadership Council, of which Pezeshkian is now a member after US-Israeli strikes killed other key leaders, align with the goals of the armed forces or the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which have independently activated their own measures in response to the US and Israeli attacks.

Pezeshkian’s comments brought relief across Gulf Arab states. Yet the projectiles that flew overhead shortly after his speech show it is too early to say if Iranian attacks have halted.

And his comments came with the condition that territories of Gulf Arab states, which host several large US military bases, are not used to launch attacks against Iran. Pezeshkian’s office stressed in an “explanation” statement after his speech that Iran would “give a decisive response to any aggression from American bases.”

As the region grapples