Trump says Iran will be ‘hit very hard today’ as Tehran apologizes to Gulf

WASHINGTON – 7 March 2026: US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned that “today, Iran will be hit very hard” hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighboring Gulf countries for recent attacks.

“Iran, which is being beat to hell, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore,” Trump wrote in a lengthy message posted online.

Trump further said additional Iranian targets were under consideration, suggesting possible strikes against areas and groups previously not included in targeting plans.

“Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.”

Earlier Saturday, Pezeshkian apologized for attacks on neighboring countries, even as Iranian missiles and drones continued to head toward Gulf Arab states.

His remarks came a week into a conflict that has shaken global markets and intensified regional tensions.

Pezeshkian is part of a three-member leadership council governing Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a Feb. 28 airstrike that triggered the current war.

Meanwhile, the Iranian president rejected Trump’s demand for Tehran’s unconditional surrender.

“That’s a dream that they should take to their grave,” he said.

Several hours after Pezeshkian’s remarks, air defense alerts were still sounding across the Gulf.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain reported intercepting or tracking incoming missiles as the confrontation continued.

The conflict has intensified over the past week following hundreds of airstrikes carried out by US and Israeli forces against targets in Iran, in a campaign aimed at curbing Tehran’s military capabilities and regional influence.