Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian provoked a sharp reaction from hardliners in his country with his apology to neighboring countries today for Iranian attacks in recent days, DPA reported.
Critics in Iran immediately accused Pezeshkian of showing weakness, hurting national pride and causing damage to his country.
Conservative MP Jalal Rashidi Kuchi wrote in “Ex“: “With all due respect, Mr. President, an apology is made when a mistake is made... But we have not made a mistake“. The MP accused the president of lacking authority in his message, which he said was weak in terms of text, expression and body language.
Pezeshkian apologized in a pre-recorded video message broadcast by Iranian state media for Iran's attacks on neighboring countries, after the US and Israel began strikes on Iran a week ago.
Mohammad Manan Raisi, a MP who is considered a hardliner, also wrote in “Ex“: “Your strange apology to neighboring countries has caused widespread regret... The attacks on our armed forces do not warrant such a humiliating apology on your part“. Raisi called on Pezeshkian to "immediately apologize to the people for this humiliating treatment."
The Iranian news site "Raja News," which also considers itself Islamist, wrote: "The president's latest televised speech shows that the government's circle of advisors is still pursuing "diplomacy of begging." The speech, which was supposed to be a symbol of national resistance, unfortunately turned into a signal of weakness, the site wrote, urging: “Just take away his microphone”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of attacking a water desalination facility on an island in the Persian Gulf, stating that this was a precedent, Agence France-Presse reported.
“The US committed a gross and desperate crime by attacking this facility on Qeshm Island“ in the Gulf, Araghchi wrote in “Ex“, adding that “the water supply of 30 settlements was disrupted“.
“Attacking Iranian infrastructure is a dangerous step with serious consequences. The US set this precedent, not Iran," he said.
The Saudi defense minister and Pakistani military officials met today to discuss how best to implement the joint defense pact between the two countries in light of Iran's missile attacks on its neighbors, DPA reported.
During talks with Pakistan's Chief of General Staff Syed Asim Munir, the two sides discussed possible measures to stop strikes against Saudi Arabia, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud wrote in "Ex". No further details were given.
A defense pact has been in effect between the two countries since 2025. According to this pact, any attack on one of the two countries is considered an attack on both, which in theory allows Saudi Arabia to receive protection through Pakistan's nuclear weapons, notes DPA.