A high-rise building in Bahrain attacked by Iranian drones on the 28th of last month [Reuters=Yonhap News] 

Just hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Iran would apologize to Gulf nations and cease attacks, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar were sequentially attacked by Iran.

Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have warned of retaliation if Iran's attacks continue.

According to foreign media outlets such as AP, AFP, and Reuters, the Bahraini Interior Ministry stated that houses and other buildings in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, caught fire and suffered material damage due to an Iranian airstrike on the afternoon of the 7th (local time).

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced that it had attacked the U.S. military base in Jufeir, Bahrain.

The IRGC claimed that the attack was in response to an operation targeting desalination plants within Iran from the Jufeir base on that day and stated that missiles were launched in retaliation.

The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense system intercepted Iranian missiles and drones over Dubai on the evening of the same day.

Reuters, citing Dubai authorities, reported that debris from the intercepted objects fell on vehicles in the Al-Basha area of Dubai, resulting in the death of an Asian driver.

Earlier, Iranian President Pezeshkian stated in a televised speech that "the Provisional Leadership Council has approved a plan to cease attacks on neighboring countries as long as these countries do not attack Iran," and added, "I personally apologize to the neighboring countries that have been attacked by Iran."

Pezeshkian's apology is seen as an attempt to appease the anger of Gulf states and block the possibility of retaliatory attacks.

According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia had urged restraint and warned of possible retaliation before President Pezeshkian expressed his apologies.

Multiple sources told Reuters that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi two days prior.

During this call, Al Saud reportedly warned that if attacks on Saudi territory or energy infrastructure continue, Saudi Arabia would have no choice but to retaliate and would be forced to allow its military bases to be used for Iranian attacks.

Iran is reportedly maintaining its stance that it is not directly targeting Gulf states but rather U.S. military bases.

Iran is also said to have demanded that Saudi Arabia close regional U.S. military bases and cease intelligence sharing that could be used for U.S. attacks.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Foreign Minister Araghchi stated, "Despite President Pezeshkian's open stance on de-escalating regional tensions, based on the premise that neighboring countries' territories are not used for attacking Iran, this proposal was immediately dismissed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who misunderstood our capabilities, resolve, and intentions," shifting responsibility for the attacks on neighboring countries to the United States.

He further asked, "I warned President Trump's envoys that war would not increase America's negotiating power. Was this warning delivered?"

Smoke rising in Doha, Qatar, from an Iranian attack on the 1st [AFP=Yonhap News]

AP reported that another member of the Provisional Leadership Council, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, also suggested no change in Iran's strategy.

Mohseni Ejei wrote on X that "the terrain of some countries in the region has fallen into the hands of the enemy and is being used to attack us. Enhanced attacks on these targets will continue."

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament (Majlis), also wrote on X that "as long as U.S. military bases in the region continue to exist, these countries will not have peace."

As Iran's airstrikes continued, Qatar also warned of possible retaliation.

According to Qatar's state news agency, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, spoke with President Trump and discussed the escalating regional tensions due to Iran's ongoing airstrikes.

The Emir of Qatar also pressured Iran, stating that Qatar would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect its safety, sovereignty, and national interests.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and offered to assist in responding to Iranian drones.

President Zelenskyy disclosed this fact through Telegram, stating, "Ukraine has been fighting against Shahed drones designed by Iran for years and has more experience than any other country in the world. We are ready to help."