Middle East crisis: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologises to neighbouring countries for strikes

“I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked,” the President said, according to BBC.

“We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries,” he added, calling for greater regional cooperation to “establish peace and calm.”

Meanwhile, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the United States could achieve its objectives in Operation Epic Fury against Iran within four to six weeks.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., Leavitt said US forces had already sunk more than 30 Iranian naval vessels, adding that Iran’s navy had been deemed “combat ineffective.” Her remarks were reported by The Times of Israel.

“Just six days in, the retaliatory ballistic missile strikes from Iran are now down 90 percent,” she said.

Leavitt also claimed that Iran-backed groups in the region were offering limited resistance.

“We’ve seen Hezbollah and the Houthis hardly putting up a fight over the course of the last six days,” she added.

Commenting on Iran’s political future, Leavitt said it would be in Washington’s interest for the country to move away from what she described as a radical regime.

“As for the future of Iran… it’s in the best interest of the United States of America for Iran to no longer be led by a radical terrorist regime,” she said.

Leavitt also said that Donald Trump was taking a keen interest in the question of Iran’s future leadership.

“President Trump wants to take an interest in pursuing who the next leader of the Iranian country is going to be, and is discussing it,” she said.

Trump on Friday said no agreement would be reached with Iran except “unconditional surrender” amid the escalating West Asia conflict.

The United States launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In retaliation, Iran carried out missile and drone strikes across several countries in the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.