This comes after Iran launched high-risk missile attacks on Israel in response to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Khamenei, in his first public appearance since the missile attack, urged the country to remain strong and not be deterred by mourning the loss of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Iranian leadership has justified the attack on Israel as necessary to restore deterrence and sovereignty, emphasizing that the targets were strictly military and not civilian.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has reached out to European counterparts to convey that Iran is not seeking escalation and to urge restraint from Israel in its response. The Iranian defense minister has warned Europe that failure to contain Israel could lead to further escalation and potentially a great war in the region.
The Iranian military targeted Israeli airbases during the missile attack, including the base housing F35 planes and Mossad headquarters. While officials are preparing for possible Israeli retaliation, there is also concern about Iran’s limited aerial defenses and the potential impact on nuclear facilities like Fordow.
The Iranian government is closely monitoring the reaction of its citizens, canceling commercial flights and urging citizens to report any pro-Israel statements on social media. Despite internal debate over the necessity of a nuclear weapon, government officials like Javad Zarif have backed the military response in the face of what they perceive as Western hypocrisy and Israeli aggression in the region.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation in the Middle East.