Iran warns European countries will be ‘legitimate targets’ if they join conflict

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An Iranian official warned that anyEuropean countriesthat enter the conflict against Iran will become “legitimate targets” for Tehran’s retaliation.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign MinisterMajid Takht-Ravanchi made the remarkto France24as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday apologized to neighboring countries that have been attacked by the regime.

“We have already informed the Europeans and everybody else that they should be careful not to be involved in this war of aggression against Iran,” Takht-Ravanchi told the network.“If they help, I’m not trying to name any country, but if any country joins in the aggression against Iran, joins America and Israel in the aggression against Iran, definitely they will be also the legitimate targets for Iranian retaliation.”

“This war has imposed on us, and we will continue todefend ourselvesto the best of our abilities,” he added.“We have an obligation to defend our people and that is what exactly we are doing.”

Majid Takht-Ravanchi speaks at U.N. headquarters

Then-Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht-Ravanchi speaks to the media outside Security Council chambers at the U.N.headquarters in New York, on June 24, 2019. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Takht-Ravanchi also claimed Iran was “negotiating in good faith” in talks with the U.S.about its nuclear program, before America launched Operation Epic Fury and Israel began Operation Roaring Lion on Feb.28.

“We are sincere.We are sincere in our endeavor to arrive at a peaceful conclusion of this issue,” he told France24.

AFTER THE STRIKES, HOW WOULD THE US SECURE IRAN’S ENRICHED URANIUM?

Damage in Tehran, Iran following joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign

A group of men inspect the ruins of a police station struck during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.(Vahid Salemi/AP)

Pezeshkian said Saturday that any future attacks coming out of Iran would only be in response to attacks against the country.

“I should apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” he said, according to The Associated Press.“From now on, they should not attack neighboring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries.I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”

Cars destroyed following Iranian missile barrage in Israel

Damage is seen in Bnei Brak, Israel, on March 3, 2026, following an Iranian missile barrage.(Nir Elias/Reuters)

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Pezeshkian made the apology during a prerecorded televised speech on Saturday after Iran launchedrepeated strikes on Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.

Despite the vow, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that the country’s air defense systems intercepted 16 ballistic missiles, 15 of which were destroyed while one fell into the sea.

�s Elizabeth Pritchett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.