UNIPA News | Middle East
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran “will be hit hard” after Tehran rejected Washington’s demand for an unconditional surrender, describing it as a “dream that they should take to their grave”.
Trump was responding to comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who earlier apologised for attacks on neighbouring countries following a week of intense missile exchanges across the Middle East.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Iran’s pledge to halt strikes was the result of what he described as “relentless US and Israeli attacks”. He framed Tehran’s apology as a sign that the country had already surrendered.
“Iran is no longer the ‘bully of the Middle East’. They are now the ‘loser of the Middle East’,” Trump wrote. He also suggested the United States was considering further action, warning of the “complete destruction” of new areas and groups over what he called Iran’s “bad behaviour”.
Meanwhile, large plumes of smoke were seen rising over Tehran on Saturday as Israel announced it had launched a broad wave of air strikes. The Trump administration has warned that the biggest bombing campaign of the eight-day conflict could still be ahead.
A US B-1 bomber was reported to have landed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom as military preparations continued.
Britain is also strengthening its military readiness in the region. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is being prepared for a potential deployment to the Middle East. If sent, it could join the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, which is scheduled to help protect a British military base in Cyprus.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Seyed Ali Mousavi, warned London to be “very careful” about becoming involved in the expanding conflict.
Speaking to the BBC, he said Tehran would have the “right to self-defence” if Britain joins offensive military operations alongside Israel and the United States.
According to officials, the conflict has already resulted in significant casualties. At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel. Six US soldiers have also been reported dead.
Despite Tehran’s rare apology, Iran intensified strikes against Israel and Gulf countries hosting US forces, saying it would in future target only those directly cooperating with Washington.
President Pezeshkian said Iran would “no longer attack neighbouring countries or launch missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries”.
Iran’s foreign ministry also said that “defensive operations” against US military bases and facilities in the region should not be interpreted as hostility towards regional states.
Iran claimed responsibility for an attack on the US naval base in Juffair, Bahrain, prompting authorities there to instruct residents to shelter. Qatar’s defence ministry separately reported that it had intercepted a missile threat targeting the country.
In the United Arab Emirates, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the nation was in a “time of war” in his first public remarks since the escalation began. Air defence systems were activated to intercept a missile threat during the day.
At Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international travel, passengers were temporarily moved into train tunnels after an alert was sounded. Footage circulating online appeared to show a drone strike near the airport area.
Emirates airline later resumed operations after briefly suspending flights to and from Dubai. Authorities have not confirmed whether the airport sustained any damage.
Thousands of Americans remain stranded across the Middle East, drawing criticism of the Trump administration’s evacuation planning.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said the country would “take all necessary measures” to defend itself.
Explosions and smoke were reported in western Tehran as Israeli forces carried out new strikes. In Israel, warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem as incoming missiles from Iran prompted residents to seek shelter in bomb shelters. Emergency services reported no immediate casualties.
Israeli warplanes have also targeted Beirut and Tehran as the conflict widened.
Israel said it had destroyed 16 Iranian aircraft belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force during overnight attacks on Tehran. Trump also claimed that US strikes had destroyed 42 Iranian naval vessels.
