March 7, 2026, 2:19 p.mMarch 7, 2026, 2:19 p.m
Iran’s President Massoud Peseschkian is sparking criticism with his apology to neighboring countries for attacks in his own country. Hardliners accuse him of showing weakness, hurting national pride and harming the country.
Massoud Peseschkian apologized to neighboring countries due to the Iranian attacks.Image: AP
The MP Jalah Rashidi-Kutschi wrote on Platform X:
“With all due respect, Mr President, an apology will be given if a mistake has been made (…) But we have not made a mistake.”
Rashidi-Kutschi accused the president of having no sign of authority in his message and of being weak in terms of text, expression and body language.
Peseschkian apologized in a video message for previous attacks on neighboring countries. “These incidents were the result of the chaotic situation following the deaths of several senior commanders, when the armed forces were leaderless and had to act independently,” he said.
The hardliner parliamentarian Mohammad Manan-Raisi wrote on X:
“Your strange apology to neighboring countries has caused general regret (…) The attacks by our armed forces give no reason for such a humiliating apology on your part.”
Manan-Raisi called on President Peseschkian to “immediately apologize to the people for this humiliating attitude.”
The news portal Raja News, which is part of the Islamist media, wrote: “The president’s latest televised address shows that the government’s advisory group is still conducting begging diplomacy.” A speech that was supposed to be a symbol of national resistance unfortunately turned into a message of weakness. “Just take the microphone away from him,” it continued.
From the perspective of Israeli Iran expert Raz Zimmt, the attacks by radical circles could indicate an intensification of power struggles at the top in the period after the death of revolutionary leader Ali Khamenei. (hkl/sda/dpa)