US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran “will be hit very hard,” as he lashed out at Tehran and mocked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following comments suggesting the Islamic Republic would suspend attacks against neighboring countries unless attacked from their territory.
In a sharply worded statement, Trump said Iran, which he claimed was “being beat to HELL,” had “apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors” and pledged not to fire at them anymore only because of the “relentless US and Israeli attack.”
Trump also mocked Iran’s standing in the region, calling it “THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,” and warned that additional targets could now be considered. “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” Trump said, adding that areas and groups previously not under consideration for attack were now being weighed for “complete destruction and certain death.”
Iran's Pezeshkian apologizes to neighbouring countries attacked in current conflict
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier 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.
"I must apologize on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran," he said.
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 its territory.
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.”
Reuters contributed to this report.