Signs of division emerged within Iran’s leadership Saturday as U.S. And Israeli strikes continued throughout the country, with Tehran sending mixed signals regarding attacks on Washington’s Arab allies as the war entered its second week.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian began the day offering an apology “on behalf of Iran to the neighboring countries affected,” promising to halt attacks that have impacted nearly every nation in the Middle East. However, strikes continued within hours, hitting Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, prompting Pezeshkian to quickly issue a statement walking back his remarks.
Expert Insight:
President Trump vowed on social media to “hit Iran very hard” on Saturday, shortly before traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the dignified transfer of six service members killed in the war.
Speaking at a summit of Latin American leaders in Miami before his trip to Delaware, the president described the fallen service members as heroes “coming home in a different manner than they thought they’d be coming home.” He called it “a very sad situation” and pledged to keep American war deaths “to a minimum.”
Israel likewise launched fresh attacks against Iran even as facing incoming fire from Hezbollah, Iran’s allied force in Lebanon, which triggered sirens in Tel Aviv. Reports of a fire at a major oil refinery outside Tehran sparked fears of escalating conflict, potentially marking the first attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The weekend’s activity underscored that Trump’s war with Iran, launched alongside Israel just a week ago, is continuing with no indication of slowing down.
Missile and drone strikes by Iran against Arab nations, targeting U.S. Military assets and civilian targets like hotels and airports, have been an effort by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to pressure regional governments to urge Trump to end the U.S. Air campaign. These strikes have disrupted markets worldwide and sent the price of oil soaring.
Hours after Pezeshkian’s apology, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated it would continue strikes on territories hosting U.S. Offensive forces. Iran’s Defense Ministry affirmed its strategic stockpile of munitions was sufficient for a prolonged campaign. A Revolutionary Guard spokesperson addressed Trump as “the corrupted island man,” referencing his former friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
“The ground and the map of the war is in our hands,” the Revolutionary Guard official said. “This will continue.”
Pezeshkian also rejected Trump’s call for Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.” Trump later stated he would be satisfied when Iran is no longer capable of fighting back.
“The idea of Iran surrendering unconditionally is a dream they will take to their graves,” Pezeshkian said.
A member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a council of 88 clerics responsible for naming the country’s supreme leader, was quoted in local state media vowing to select a new ayatollah within the next day, more than a week after U.S. And Israeli forces assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump has said he expects a say in that decision, preemptively rejecting the late supreme leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a potential successor.
Mojtaba Khamenei is considered even more ideological than his father, with deep ties throughout Iran’s security apparatus and a potential vendetta against Trump.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and formerly the late Khamenei’s top advisor, described the ayatollah’s assassination as unprecedented. “The price for this is not small,” Larijani said.
“They shouldn’t think we’ll let America quickly sweep this under the rug and say, ‘We hit, now let’s move on,’” Larijani continued. “Things will only resolve when they understand they no longer have the right to violate Iran, and when they compensate the Iranian people for their losses.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Iran’s initial apology to neighboring countries?
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered an apology “on behalf of Iran to the neighboring countries affected” following Iranian strikes, promising to halt attacks. However, this was quickly followed by continued strikes and a retraction of the apology.
What is President Trump’s stated goal in the conflict with Iran?
President Trump stated he would be satisfied reaching a point at which Iran is no longer capable of fighting back.
What is the status of the selection of a new supreme leader in Iran?
A member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts stated the council will select a new ayatollah within the next day, more than a week after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Trump has said he expects a say in the decision.
As the conflict continues, what impact will the internal divisions within Iran’s leadership have on the trajectory of the war?
