An Iranian official has issued a stark warning to European countries, declaring that any involvement in the conflict against Iran could render them “legitimate targets” for Tehran’s reprisals. This cautionary message was delivered by Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, during an interview with France24. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered apologies on Saturday to neighboring nations that have experienced attacks from the regime.
Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that European nations and others should be wary of becoming entangled in actions against Iran. “We have already informed the Europeans and everyone else to be cautious about participating in this war of aggression against Iran,” he stated. “If any nation decides to join the aggression, alongside America and Israel, they will undoubtedly become legitimate targets for Iranian retaliation.”
He further elaborated, “This war has been imposed on us, and we are committed to defending ourselves with all available resources. Our responsibility is to protect our people, and that is precisely what we are doing.”
As a backdrop to these comments, Takht-Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, was seen addressing the media outside the Security Council chambers at the U.N. headquarters in New York back in June 2019. (Photo by Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
Additionally, Takht-Ravanchi asserted that Iran had been “negotiating in good faith” with the U.S. concerning its nuclear program until the onset of Operation Epic Fury by America and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel on February 28.
Takht-Ravanchi also claimed Iran was “negotiating in good faith” in talks with the U.S. about its nuclear program, before America launched Operation Epic Fury and Israel began Operation Roaring Lion on Feb. 28.
“We are sincere. We are sincere in our endeavor to arrive at a peaceful conclusion of this issue,” he told France24.
A group of men inspect the ruins of a police station struck during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)
Pezeshkian said Saturday that any future attacks coming out of Iran would only be in response to attacks against the country.
“I should apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” he said, according to The Associated Press. “From now on, they should not attack neighboring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”
Damage is seen in Bnei Brak, Israel, on March 3, 2026, following an Iranian missile barrage. (Nir Elias/Reuters)
Pezeshkian made the apology during a prerecorded televised speech on Saturday after Iran launched repeated strikes on Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
Despite the vow, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that the country’s air defense systems intercepted 16 ballistic missiles, 15 of which were destroyed while one fell into the sea.
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