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By Steve Mollman
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has drawn rebukes from hardliners in his country for apologizing in a televised address about retaliatory attacks Iran has conducted on neighboring states.
Last weekend, the United States and Israel targeted key military targets in Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other government leaders. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces.
In response to Pezeshkian's apology, hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai wrote in an X post on Saturday the televised apology was “weak, unprofessional, and publicly unacceptable.”
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Why It Matters
A week into the U.S.–Israeli bombing campaign, the war is spilling rapidly across borders, reshaping regional politics and alarming world leaders.
U.S. officials have said the goal of the operations against Iran has been to diminish the country's nuclear program and Navy, not regime change. When asked by reporters about who he would like to see rule Iran on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said, "Most of the people we had in mind are dead."
The criticism of Pezeshkian's apology comes as Iran prepares to decide who will replace Khamenei.
What To Know
Pezeshkian's apology came in a televised address, in which he stated, “I personally apologize to neighboring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions."
However, Iran's attacks on its neighbors continued on Saturday after the president's apology.
Trump took note of the apology in a Truth Social post on Saturday, writing: “Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack.”
Rasai wrote that the apology “has settled the matter for the Presidium of the Assembly of Experts and its members, so that they may as soon as possible introduce the future Leader, bring an end to the activities of this interim council, and guarantee the protection of the revolution of Imam Khomeini and the martyred Imam Khamenei.”
Other Iranian officials who criticized the apology on social media included lawmaker Mohammad Manan Raeisi and Ebrahim Azizi, head of the parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, according to Iran International, an Iranian opposition-leaning media outlet based in London.
Raeisi called the apology "humiliating" and wrote: “Did neighboring countries not place their land, assets and hotels at the disposal of our enemies? Should our military not have struck those bases and assets of the enemy that you are now apologizing for so humbly?”
Azizi wrote that all U.S. and Israeli bases in the region were “legitimate and lawful targets," adding, “The Islamic Republic has no red line in defending national interests. This battle continues."
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What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Iran in his Truth Social post: “They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries. They have said, “Thank you President Trump.” I have said, “You’re welcome!” Iran is no longer the “Bully of the Middle East,” they are, instead, “THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,” and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse! Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.”
Elliott Abrams, special representative for Iran in Trump’s first term, to the Associated Press on Iran’s ability to hit neighbors: “The neighbors knew it and were afraid of it. But it was never clear that Iran would actually do it, because they have a lot to lose. These attacks will leave long-term enmity, and if they keep up, the Gulf Arabs may start attacking Iran.”
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari at a press briefing this week after Iranian strikes: “All the red lines have already been crossed. The attacks on our sovereignty are constant...When it comes to possible retaliation, all options are with our leadership. But we have to make it very clear that attacks like these will not go unanswered and cannot go unanswered."
What Happens Next
All eyes are on who replaces Khamenei. The decision will be made by the Assembly of Experts, the body constitutionally tasked with choosing a successor.
Update 3/7/26, 5:40 pm ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/7/26, 6:42 pm ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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