(Tehran) An advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, said the Islamic Republic must avoid reacting “instinctively” against Israel after the October 26 strikes against Iran, in order to “not fall into the trap” set by Israel.
Posted at 6:47 a.m.
Sworn enemy of Tehran, Israel is at war against Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, two movements allied with Iran.
On October 26, Israeli warplanes carried out strikes on military sites in Iran, in retaliation for Iranian missile launches against Israel on October 1is october.
“Israel seeks to bring the conflict to Iran, we must act wisely so as not to fall into its trap and not react instinctively,” Ali Larijani said Thursday evening, during an interview with state television.
Iran presented its attack on 1is October as a response to the assassination of leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel warned Iran against retaliating for its attack, while Tehran promised to respond.
“Our actions and reactions are strategically defined, so we must avoid knee-jerk or emotional responses and remain entirely rational,” added Larijani.
He also praised the former leader of Lebanese Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, who “accepted the ceasefire” during the 2006 war against Israel, rather than “making an emotional decision.” Nasrallah was killed by Israel in Lebanon in late September.
On Sunday, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said a possible ceasefire between Tehran’s allies and Israel could influence his country’s response to Israeli strikes.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in power in Iran since 1989, has the final say on all strategic decisions.
Belgium
