Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that its temporary leadership council had approved the suspension of attacks against neighboring countries unless an attack on Iran came from those countries.
The announcement came as Iran continued to launch attacks in the region in response to US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.
Shortly after Pezeshkian's remarks, Qatar's Defense Ministry said its armed forces intercepted a missile attack.
On Thursday, CNN reported that Iranian tactical bombers were only minutes away from striking a US military base when Qatari planes shot them down earlier this week.
The planes, two Su-24 tactical bombers, had been apparently targeted at two important sites in Qatar: The Al Udeid Air Base, where approximately 10,000 US soldiers are housed, and Ras Laffan, a gas processing facility.
'We do not have the slightest hesitation in defending our country'
On Friday, Pezeshkian said several countries have begun efforts to open discussions aimed at securing a ceasefire.
“Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Our response to them is clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we do not have the slightest hesitation in defending our country’s dignity and authority. The target of mediation should be those who ignited the fire by underestimating the Iranian people,” Pezeshkian said in a statement.
Pezeshkian, who shared the post in both English and Persian, did not name the countries he said had “stepped forward to establish a ceasefire.”
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Iranian officials sought a ceasefire, adding, however, “It’s too late.”