Hardliners slammed Iranian President for apology remark

Iran's president apologised to neighbouring states in a bid to cool anger across the Gulf but stirred criticism from hardliners at home. Pezeshkian’s comments caused a political stir in Iran, prompting his office to reiterate Iran's military would respond firmly to attacks from US bases in the region. Hamid Rasai, a hardline cleric and lawmaker, wrote on X, "Mr Pezeshkian, your stance was unprofessional, weak and unacceptable." One former Revolutionary Guards commander denounced the idea of an apology in a statement on social media. The judiciary chief, Mohseni-Ejei, a hardline member of the three-man council temporarily holding the powers of supreme leader, said the territory of some regional countries was being used, openly and secretly, for attacks against Iran, and retaliatory strikes would continue. Hours after Pezeshkian's announcement, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said their drones struck a US air combat centre at Al Dhafra Air Base, near Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The US-Israeli war on Iran has already spilled beyond Iran's borders, as Tehran has responded by hitting Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations and Israel has launched fresh attacks in Lebanon after the Iran-aligned militia Hezbollah fired across the border. Gulf states voiced outrage that their civilian infrastructure – hotels, ports and oil facilities – was struck despite their having had no part in the US-Israeli attacks.
The US-Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands, according to Iran's U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani. Huge explosions were heard in parts of Tehran, state media reported, while Israel said it had struck Iranian missile sites and command centres.Iranian attacks have killed 10 people in Israel, and at least six US service members have been killed.