Pezeshkian’s Apology: Iran Seeks to Avoid a Multi-Front Confrontation

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that Tehran would not attack neighboring countries unless they were involved in attacks against Iran, seeking to calm regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli air strikes and a growing diplomatic dispute with Azerbaijan.

“Those who dream of Iran’s unconditional capitulation will carry that dream to their graves,” Pezeshkian said, according to Iranian media, warning that Tehran would not surrender under military pressure.

At the same time, the Iranian leader signaled a more conciliatory tone toward countries in the region, saying Iran had decided not to target neighboring states or launch missiles from their territory unless they were directly involved in attacks on Iran.

“Yesterday the temporary governing council decided not to attack neighboring countries and not to launch missiles from their territory unless there is an attack on Iran,” Pezeshkian said. “Let us put aside all disagreements, concerns and grievances among ourselves.”

He also apologized to neighboring countries, saying Tehran had no hostile intentions toward them.

“I ask forgiveness from our neighbors. There will be no military intervention in neighboring countries unless there is an attack on Iran,” he said.

Tensions with Azerbaijan

Pezeshkian’s remarks come amid rising tensions with Azerbaijan, which accused Iran earlier this week of carrying out a drone strike on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an Azerbaijani exclave bordering Iran, Turkey and Armenia.

President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday described the incident as a “terrorist act by Iran” and said Azerbaijan’s armed forces had been placed on full combat readiness.

Speaking at a meeting of the national Security Council, Aliyev demanded explanations and an apology from Tehran and said those responsible should be brought to justice.

Azerbaijan has summoned Iran’s ambassador to its foreign ministry to deliver a formal protest note.

Aliyev also said that on the same day an Iranian deputy foreign minister had asked Baku for assistance in evacuating Iranian embassy staff from Lebanon. Azerbaijan agreed to send an aircraft for the evacuation.

“I said help must be provided free of charge. If we do not help in difficult moments, then when should we?” Aliyev said. “And after all this — a treacherous strike on Nakhchivan.”

Iran denies responsibility

Iran’s armed forces general staff rejected the accusations and said the drone strike was a provocation carried out by Israel aimed at sparking a conflict between Iran and Azerbaijan.

The incident has heightened concerns about the risk of instability spreading to the South Caucasus as tensions escalate across the Middle East following recent military exchanges involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Domestic criticism

Pezeshkian’s apology to neighboring countries has also drawn criticism inside Iran.

Mohammad Manan Raisi, a member of parliament from the city of Qom, called the president’s remarks “regrettable,” saying Iran’s leadership should instead focus on appointing a new national leader as a matter of urgency.

Analysts say the Iranian president’s comments appear aimed at preventing the current crisis from expanding into a broader regional conflict, particularly at a time when Tehran is already facing pressure from Israel and the United States.

By reassuring neighboring states that Iran does not intend to attack them, Tehran may be seeking to avoid opening additional fronts — including in the strategically sensitive South Caucasus — while containing the confrontation with its main adversaries.