The statement by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian not to attack neighboring countries as long as their airspace and US bases within their territories are not used to attack Iran has caused a strong reaction within the country, as the military appears to have opposed it.

There were also calls for the installation of a new supreme leader as soon as possible, as a means of marginalizing the president. Attacks on facilities in Bahrain and elsewhere have continued, and there were unconfirmed reports that Bahrain had become the first Gulf country to retaliate against Iran.

The reaction to Pezeshkian's statement was exacerbated by the fact that he apologized to the region on behalf of himself and the nation in his pre-recorded speech on state television.

He also implied that after the US attack on its high command, the armed forces may have been forced to make decisions about their targeting. He suggested that they had fired at will.