Iran warned on Saturday of the risk of spillover to other parts of the world than the Middle East from the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, where Israel faces movements supported by Tehran.
“The world must know that if the war spreads, its harmful effects will not be limited to the Middle East region alone.“, warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a speech broadcast on state television.
Sworn enemy of Iran, Israel is at war against Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, two movements allied with Tehran, which also advocates a ceasefire on these two fronts. “Insecurity and instability can spread to other regions, even very distant ones“added Mr. Araghchi, whose country was targeted by Israeli strikes.
On October 26, Israeli warplanes carried out strikes on military sites in Iran, in retaliation for Iranian missile launches against Israel on October 1. Israel warned Iran against retaliating for its attack, while Tehran promised to respond.
On Thursday, Ali Larijani, an advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, said Iran should avoid reacting “instinctively“against Israel after the strikes of October 26, in order to”don’t fall into the trap” tense by Israel. For his part, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that a possible ceasefire between Tehran’s allies and Israel could influence his country’s response to Israeli strikes.
Abbas Araghchi Iran Conflict in the Middle East
Belgium
