Offer from Iran's president to not attack neighbours provokes internal backlash

"The surprise offer by the president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, to not attack countries in the neighbourhood so long as their airspace and US bases within their territories are not used to attack Iran has provoked a storm inside the country as the military appeared to contradict him, if not outright overrule him."

"The US had committed a blatant and desperate crime by attacking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island. Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted. Attacking Iran's infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences. The US set this precedent, not Iran. There are as many as 400 water desalination plants across the Gulf, and if they come to be viewed as legitimate targets, a drinking water crisis of unimaginable proportions could face the region within days."

"Pezeshkian's position was not helped by his including an apology to the region on behalf of himself and the nation in his pre-recorded address on state TV. He also implied that after the US attack on its top command, rudderless armed forces may have been forced to make targeting decisions on their own."

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed a conditional offer to avoid attacking neighboring countries if their airspace and US bases were not used against Iran. This proposal triggered significant internal conflict, with the military appearing to contradict or override the president, and calls for replacing the supreme leader. Simultaneously, attacks on facilities in Bahrain continued with unconfirmed reports of Bahrain retaliating. The US attacked a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island, affecting water supply to 30 villages. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi focused on escalation risks rather than de-escalation. Pezeshkian's position weakened further when he apologized to the region and suggested armed forces made independent targeting decisions after US attacks on Iranian command. President Trump characterized the offer as surrender, contradicting Pezeshkian's assertion that surrender seekers would take that wish to their grave.

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