Protests Erupt in Iran Over President’s Vow to Halt Attacks; New Strikes Reported in UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia

Drone strike targeted Dubai International Airport

N. Prabhakaran

DUBAI: Shortly after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged to cease attacks on neighboring countries, fresh strikes have been reported targeting Dubai International Airport and a U.S. military base in Qatar.

The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed that its air defense systems are currently intercepting missile and drone threats originating from Iran. A drone strike reportedly targeted Dubai International Airport; however, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. This latest assault occurred just as the airport had begun partially resuming operations following previous disruptions.

In Qatar, the Ministry of Defense announced it had successfully intercepted missiles aimed at a U.S. military installation. Similar reports of an attack on a U.S. base in Bahrain have surfaced, though specific details are yet to be confirmed. The Iranian Ministry of Defense has characterized these actions as "retaliation" for ongoing American operations against Iran.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian authorities reported the interception of a drone heading toward Riyadh. The Saudi Ministry of Defense further stated that a missile and four drones targeting Prince Sultan Airbase were successfully neutralized.

Internal Backlash and Political Turmoil in Iran

President Masoud Pezeshkian is facing severe backlash from prominent Iranian political and media figures after he characterized the military's recent actions against neighboring states as "fire at will" (unauthorized) and offered an apology. In a video message, the President stated he had instructed the military to refrain from missile strikes as long as Iran is not attacked from neighboring territories.

Mohammad Manan Raissi, an MP representing the city of Qom, condemned the President’s remarks as "disgraceful" and called for the Assembly of Experts to convene immediately to select a new leader. Ibrahim Azizi, head of a parliamentary committee, asserted that all U.S. and Israeli bases in the region remain "legitimate targets" and that hostilities would continue.

Former MP Jalal Rashidi Koochi also criticized the apology as a sign of weakness, maintaining that the military had acted correctly. In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump warned that Iran would face "forceful consequences" if its "bad behavior" persists, noting that further strikes against the region are being considered.

Uncertainty Over Leadership

Ayatollah Mozaffari, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, indicated that a meeting to elect the country’s next Supreme Leader is expected within the next 24 hours. However, he clarified that no official decisions have been finalized.

In a significant diplomatic escalation, Qatar has ordered Iranian embassy officials in Doha to leave the country within a week. Reports also suggest that local hotels in Qatar have begun denying accommodation to Iranian diplomatic staff.