Iranian president announces halt to missile strikes on neighboring nations unless provoked by direct attacks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announces an interim council decision to stop missile strikes on neighbors unless Iran is targeted from their territories.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 3:32 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CGTN

New Directives for Regional Military Engagement

President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a televised address on Saturday announcing a significant shift in Iran's military posturing toward its regional neighbors. According to the president, the Iranian government has resolved to stop targeting or launching missiles at locations within neighboring countries. This new policy is contingent upon those nations refraining from launching or hosting attacks directed at Iran, establishing a conditional cessation of hostilities that have recently impacted the surrounding region.

Decision by the Interim Leadership Council

The president clarified that this strategic shift was not a unilateral military order but a formal decision reached by Iran's interim leadership council earlier on Saturday. This governing body concluded that the suspension of strikes is necessary, provided the security of Iran is not compromised by actions taken from within the borders of its neighbors. Pezeshkian emphasized that this move is intended to define a new boundary for Iranian military responses during the ongoing period of regional instability.

Notification of the Iranian Armed Forces

Following the council's resolution, the Iranian armed forces were officially notified of the change in operational parameters. The televised message, which was carried by the state-run IRIB TV network, served as a public confirmation that the military hierarchy is now under orders to withhold fire against neighboring states. This directive applies to all forms of offensive strikes and missile deployments that have characterized the recent escalation in the Middle East.