New Delhi: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commented on Sunday regarding Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting Iranian military sites, saying that the incident “should not be exaggerated nor downplayed”. While he stopped short of calling for immediate retaliation, his remarks suggest that Iran is considering its response with caution.
Khamenei stated, “The evil actions of the Israeli regime two nights ago should neither be exaggerated nor downplayed,” emphasising the need for Israel to recognise the strength and determination of the Iranian nation. He added that it is the responsibility of Iranian authorities to effectively convey this power to Israel and to take actions that align with the interests of the Iranian people.
Series of airstrikes by Israeli forces
The statement from Khamenei follows a series of airstrikes conducted by Israeli forces in response to an earlier ballistic missile attack from Iran. Although the Israeli strikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of four Iranian soldiers, Iranian military officials said that they prioritise regional ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon over immediate retaliation against Israel.
As tensions continue to escalate, concerns over the potential for a wider regional conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran-aligned forces loom large. Despite the gravity of the situation, US President Joe Biden has called for an end to the escalation of hostilities.
Earlier, Iranian officials condemned the Israeli strike as acts of aggression by the “criminal and illegal Zionist regime.” A source within the Iranian government informed the news agency Tasnim that Iran retains the right to respond to any acts of aggression. “There is no doubt that Israel will face an appropriate response to any actions taken against Iran,” the source warned, adding that Tehran’s retaliation will be “harsh, proportional, and well-calculated.”
