Iran's hierarchy is showing signs of fracturing over a war its leaders see as existential, with angry divisions between hardliners and more pragmatic factions laid bare by a row over President Masoud Pezeshkian's promise not to strike Gulf states.

Mixed messages indicate IRGC in control as fresh missile and drone salvos target UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan; 3rd US carrier heads to region; Trump: 'Loser' Iran 'will be hit very hard'

Gulf states have issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Iran's "blatant" and "criminal" attacks against them.

Iran's president apologized Saturday for attacks even as its missiles and drones flew toward Gulf Arab states. He also rejected Donald Trump's repeated demands for surrender.

After a week of tit-for-tat strikes there is no foreseeable end to the fighting and the Trump administration approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel.

The Gulf states have said Iran's attacks on energy infrastructure won't "go unanswered" but, so far, they have not hit back. That stance could change soon.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned in a Truth Social post that more Iranian officials will be targets, saying, “Today Iran will be hit very hard!,” while noting an apology by

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that his comments about attacks affecting Gulf countries had been “misinterpreted by the enemy,” af.

The Iranian ambassador in London has warned the UK to be "very careful" about becoming further involved in the war. Seyed Ali Mousavi told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg his country would have a "right to self-defence" if the UK directly joined US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Many Middle Eastern countries continued to report incoming ballistic missiles and drones from Iran on Wednesday, within hours after the U.S. and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire.