Iran's presidency announced on Saturday that the country's temporary leadership council has approved a moratorium on offensive missile strikes against neighbouring states, a public statement that could represent a step toward de-escalation in a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets.
The directive specifies that Iran will halt attacks on neighbouring countries on the condition that no strikes against the Islamic Republic originate from those nations' territories. Officials framed the policy as a reciprocal commitment - Tehran will stand down provided others do not launch attacks from their soil.
Observers said the adoption of a formal no-first-strike posture marks a notable change in Tehran's approach. Iran has been engaged in a direct military confrontation with U.S. and Israeli forces following escalations in February. Over the past week the region has remained on edge, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducting retaliatory operations directed at neighbouring countries and at Israel.
Pezeshkian's announcement appears aimed at reassuring regional actors - particularly those hosting U.S. military bases - that they will not be singled out for strikes so long as they refrain from permitting attacks against Iran from their territory. The public framing links the moratorium to a desire for stability along borders and to reduce immediate sources of escalation.
Inside Iran, the conflict has taken a toll on domestic systems and infrastructure, according to the statement. The leadership suggested the pause in offensive operations could provide valuable breathing room to repair energy facilities and other critical assets damaged during the fighting. Officials also tied the decision to managing internal economic pressure created by what they described as an ongoing 'oil shock' and related public dissent.
The guidance from the temporary council is conditional and explicitly linked to the behaviour of neighbouring states - its durability will depend on whether those countries permit or carry out strikes against the Islamic Republic from their territories. The announcement leaves open the prospect that offensive measures could resume if Tehran judges that hostile actions are originating from nearby soil.
Summary
Iran has declared a conditional moratorium on offensive missile strikes, pledging not to attack neighbouring countries so long as no hostile strikes against Iran originate from their territories. The move is presented as both a signal to neighbouring states and a measure to allow time to repair damaged infrastructure and ease domestic economic strains tied to an 'oil shock.'