Day 8 of the US-Israel-Iran war. Iran's president said sorry on Saturday for attacking Gulf Arab countries. But two other men who share power with him said Iran's strikes would keep going. It is the clearest sign yet that Iran's leadership is divided.
What Happened Saturday Morning
Iranian missiles and drones flew toward the Gulf early Saturday. People at Dubai International Airport — one of the world's busiest airports — were rushed into underground train tunnels. The government activated air defenses over the city. Several blasts were heard.
Airline Emirates halted all flights out of Dubai, then said flights would resume. The disruption caused delays and chaos for hundreds of thousands of travelers.
In Saudi Arabia, air defenses destroyed drones headed toward the Shaybah oil field. They also shot down a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, which holds US troops.
In Bahrain, air raid sirens sounded and missiles were intercepted. No casualties were reported in any of these attacks.
Iran's President Apologizes — Then Hard-Liners Push Back
Shortly after the attacks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted a video. He said: "I should apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran. From now on, they should not attack neighboring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries."
Pezeshkian said Iran should "solve this through diplomacy." But he also rejected Trump's demand that Iran surrender, saying: "That's a dream that they should take to their grave."
Within hours, two other members of Iran's leadership council pushed back.
Hard-line judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei said: "Intense attacks on these targets will continue." He argued that US forces are using Gulf countries as launch pads to strike Iran, so those countries are fair targets.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard general, posted: "As long as US bases in the region continue, those countries will not enjoy peace."
Iran's Supreme Leader was killed in the war's first strikes. The three-man council now running Iran is clearly split.
Trump Threatens Harder Bombing
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran would be "hit very hard" and that more "areas and groups of people" would become targets. He did not say exactly what that means.
The US approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel this week. US officials said an even bigger bombing campaign is still coming.
Tehran was hit with more US and Israeli strikes Saturday. Witnesses reported massive explosions across the capital.
Russia Is Helping Iran Target US Forces
Two US officials confirmed to AP News that Russia has shared intelligence with Iran that could help Iran strike American warships and aircraft. The US says it does not believe Russia is directing Iran — only providing information.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the intelligence sharing is "not making any difference" because the US is "completely decimating" Iran's military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US is "tracking everything."
Russia's Kremlin said it had "no request" for military assistance from Iran, but declined to say whether it had shared intelligence.
Toll So Far
At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the war started on February 28. More than 290 people have been killed in Lebanon. 11 Israelis and 6 US troops are also dead.
At least 41 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Friday, including three Lebanese soldiers, according to Al Jazeera.
What Both Sides Said
Iran (President Pezeshkian): We are sorry for hitting Gulf neighbors. We want diplomacy. But we will not surrender.
Iran (Hard-liners): Attacks will continue as long as US forces use Gulf countries against Iran.
US (Trump): Iran will be "hit very hard." No talks without unconditional surrender.
US (Pentagon): We are watching Russia's moves and factoring them into our battle plans.
Russia: We are "in dialogue" with Iran. We deny directing them.
Sources: AP News (confirmed — Pezeshkian statement, Mohseni-Ejei post, Ghalibaf post, Trump statement, $151M arms sale, Russia intel — 2 US officials, Leavitt/Hegseth), Al Jazeera (confirmed — Bekaa Valley strikes, Dubai airport, Gulf interceptions, Day 8 toll), Reuters Middle East (confirmed — Dubai airport operations, UAE air defenses). All major claims confirmed by 2+ sources.