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An Iranian official has issued a stark warning to European nations, cautioning that any involvement in conflict against Iran would render them “legitimate targets” for Tehran’s counteractions.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, conveyed this message during an interview with France24. His remarks came in the wake of an apology from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to neighboring countries affected by the regime’s actions.
Takht-Ravanchi stated, “We have already alerted the Europeans and others to avoid becoming embroiled in this aggressive war against Iran.” He further emphasized, “While I’m not specifying any nation, should any country join the aggression against Iran, alongside the United States and Israel, they will unquestionably be considered legitimate targets for our retaliation.”
He continued, “This war has been thrust upon us, and we will vigorously defend ourselves. Our duty is to protect our people, and that is precisely our focus.”
The remarks were made by Takht-Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, seen here speaking to the press outside the Security Council chambers at the U.N. headquarters in New York on June 24, 2019. (Photo by Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
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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