‘Strived To Avoid War’: Iran Tells Neighbours US, Israel Left It No Choice As It Strikes Gulf Cities

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 00:26 IST

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was forced to respond after US-Israel strikes as Gulf states intercept drones and missiles across the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told neighbouring Gulf states that Tehran respects their sovereignty and believes regional security should be ensured collectively by countries in the region, even as Iranian missile and drone strikes spread across the Gulf.

In a message addressed to “heads of friendly and neighbouring states", Pezeshkian said Iran had attempted to avoid war through diplomacy but had been forced to defend itself following what he described as “American-Zionist military aggression".

“We have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves," Pezeshkian said in a statement posted on X.

“We respect your sovereignty, and we believe that the security and stability of the region must be achieved through the collective efforts of its states," he added.

The message appeared aimed at Gulf countries that have come under Iranian drone and missile attacks since the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran.

Qatar Urges Iran To Halt Attacks

Pezeshkian’s message came as Qatar urged Tehran to stop the attacks targeting Gulf states.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which he called for an “immediate halt" to the strikes, according to a statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry.

The Qatari leader accused Tehran of attempting to drag neighbouring countries into a war “that is not theirs".

He also said Iranian missiles had struck civilian and residential areas in Qatar, despite Araghchi maintaining that the attacks were aimed at American interests rather than the Qatari state, AFP reported.

Drone And Missile Attacks Reported Across Gulf

Several Gulf states have reported intercepting Iranian drones and missiles as the conflict enters its fifth day.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted three ballistic missiles and detected 129 drones, of which 121 were shot down, the defence ministry said.

Eight drones fell on UAE territory, though authorities did not immediately provide details about damage.

In Qatar, the military said its air defences intercepted 10 drones and two cruise missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday.

Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone targeting the massive Ras Tanura refinery on the kingdom’s eastern Gulf coast.

The Saudi defence ministry said the drone attack caused no damage, though operations at the facility had earlier been disrupted by another strike that triggered a fire.

Security sources in Iraq also reported that two drones were shot down near Baghdad International Airport, which hosts a military base and a US diplomatic facility.

News world ‘Strived To Avoid War’: Iran Tells Neighbours US, Israel Left It No Choice As It Strikes Gulf Cities

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