In light of the recent Israeli airstrikes, Iran’s leadership appears to be considering its response, as the Iranian foreign minister has called for a UN Security Council meeting. During a cabinet meeting, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated, “We do not seek war, but we will defend the rights of our nation and country,” adding that they would respond “appropriately” to what he termed the aggression of the Zionist regime.
However, it remains uncertain whether Pezeshkian’s comments indicate a potential direct military response, increased support for regional proxies like Hezbollah, or a focus on diplomatic avenues following the airstrikes on Saturday. Discussions are ongoing within Iran about whether the Israeli attack, which turned out to be more contained than anticipated, necessitates a military counteraction and if appearing passive would portray the country as weak.
The U.S. has expressed concerns that ongoing retaliatory strikes between the major military powers in the region could escalate into a full-blown war. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also responded, cautioning that the “evil committed by the Zionist regime two nights ago should neither be downplayed nor exaggerated.” He emphasized that it is the responsibility of Iranian authorities to demonstrate the nation’s strength to Israel, hinting that a military response is not immediately planned as Iran evaluates its options.
After the Israeli attack, which inflicted limited damage according to Tehran, President Joe Biden urged for an end to the escalations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes, which were retaliation for a missile barrage fired by Iran earlier in the month, and reiterated that the Security Council must convene on Monday. He characterized Israel’s actions as a serious threat to international peace and security and asserted Iran’s right to a legitimate response to these “criminal attacks.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, declared that, “The air force attacked throughout Iran,” stressing that they targeted Iran’s defense capabilities and missile production capacity. Reports cite anonymous officials stating that Israel’s operation successfully damaged air defense systems critical to several oil and petrochemical facilities.
Earlier, Pezeshkian acknowledged the deaths of four Iranian soldiers in the attack, asserting, “Enemies of Iran should know these brave people are standing fearlessly in defense of their land and will respond to any stupidity with tact and intelligence.” Former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, now a strategic adviser, avoided direct retaliation threats, instead suggesting that the West must move away from outdated paradigms and collaborate with Iran to end violence in Palestine, Gaza, and Lebanon.
In a typical method of messaging to the West, Iran’s UN mission accused the U.S. of complicity in the airstrikes, asserting that since the Israeli warplanes operated from Iraqi airspace, this ties back to U.S. military control of the region. Araghchi stressed that Israel’s regional power would wane without U.S. support, asserting America’s involvement in various military actions across the region.
As Iran deliberates its next steps, significant factors come into play including the potential diplomatic fallout from alienating its Arab partners, the impact on its struggling economy, and the risks associated with further Israeli military actions, which could result in much more severe consequences than the recent strikes. Public backing for Iran’s expansive foreign policies remains vulnerable, according to recent polls conducted by the Middle East Institute.
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