The country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered preparations to respond to possible attacks.
The New York Times reports this.
According to information the publication received from four Iranian officials, Tehran’s reaction will depend on the scale of the Israeli attack. If Israel responds to recent rocket attacks from Iranian territory and causes significant damage, Iran will be forced to respond. Otherwise, if the attack is limited, for example, to an attack on a few military targets, Tehran will not be able to take retaliatory measures.
However, Khamenei stressed that a response would be inevitable if Israel attacked oil or energy infrastructure, Iran’s nuclear facilities or if high-ranking officials were eliminated. Despite public statements that they do not want war, Iranian leaders cannot afford to appear weak, especially after the recent assassinations by Israeli forces of the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, both backed by Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the BRICS summit in Kazan on Wednesday that in the event of an Israeli attack, the response would be appropriate and carefully thought out.
The situation in the region is critical: the conflict between Iran and Israel could have catastrophic consequences, including an escalation of violence in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the involvement of the United States in hostilities on Israel’s side.
Iran has also sought to strengthen ties with neighboring Arab countries, warning them not to provide aid to Israel, which would make them a target for possible retaliation. Araghchi said neighbors confirmed they would not allow Israeli planes to use their airspace or refuel.
According to political analyst Nasser Imani, Iran is not interested in a major war with Israel and would prefer to avoid an escalation. Earlier, Iranian General Rostami claimed that Tehran has secret weapons superior to nuclear weapons that could be used in response to Israeli attacks.
Recall that Kursor reported that today about 30 missiles were fired from Lebanon towards the Galilee. Some of the missiles were intercepted and others hit Majd al-Krum and other nearby areas.
At least nine people were injured in Majd al-Krum. Two of them were in critical condition. It was later learned that they had died. They are Hasan Suad, 21 years old, and Arjwan Manaa, 19 years old.
