Global News Podcast Iran president apologises for striking neighbours
9 snips
Mar 7, 2026 
Lina Sinjab, Beirut correspondent on Lebanon’s humanitarian toll. Catalina Gomez, Tehran-based reporter on strikes and civilian fear. Lise Doucette, BBC international analyst on Iran’s leadership and regional fallout. They discuss Iran’s presidential apology and pledge to stop strikes, chaotic command claims, US reactions and wider regional humanitarian and security consequences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Iran Apologises While Blaming Decentralised Military Action
- Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian publicly apologised for recent strikes on neighbouring Arab states and pledged to stop if attacks don't originate from their territory.
- He framed the strikes as actions by decentralized local commanders after leaders were killed, signalling a leadership trying to reassert diplomatic control.
Trump Frames Apology As Surrender And Pushes Regime Change
- President Trump dismissed the apology as surrender and threatened heavy retaliation, using the moment to argue for regime change in Iran.
- Lise Doucette noted Trump invokes Venezuela as a model but said regime removal in Iran is far harder and unlikely to succeed.
Gulf States Turn Away From Iran After Civilian Strikes
- Gulf states are shocked and angered by Iranian strikes, pushing them closer to the US rather than defending Tehran's actions.
- Qatar and the UAE warned Washington about risks to bases and energy infrastructure, but civilian hits and sustained strikes escalated regional condemnation.