Tehran has issued a stern warning amid heightened tensions in Iran-Israel conflict, cautioning against any retaliation following Tehran’s recent drone and missile attacks. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized that any reckless behavior from Israel or its supporters would result in a decisive and more forceful response from Iran.
“If the Zionist regime [Israel] or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement on Sunday.
Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s military chief, echoed this sentiment, stating that a much larger retaliation awaits Israel if it chooses to retaliate against Iran.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Iranian retaliation was conveyed directly to the United States. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Amir Abdollahian, has revealed that Tehran had informed the US of the planned attack 72 hours in advance, emphasizing that the strikes were intended to be limited and for self-defense. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander, Hossein Salami, warned of retaliation against any Israeli attacks on Iranian interests, officials, or citizens, asserting that Iran would respond from its own territory.
He said, “From now on, whenever Israel attacks Iranian interests… we will attack from Iran.”
Iran avoided escalation
This development marks a significant shift in Iran’s approach, as it has traditionally avoided direct conflict with Israel and preferred to act through proxies in other regions. However, recent events, including an Israeli strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria, put an obligation on Iran to respond. Evidently, reports prior to the attacks mentioned that Iran has conveyed to US that it’s attack would be Iran’s attempt to convey its attack as controlled and non-escalatory underscores its desire to avoid further tensions.
While Iran has invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter seeking its right to retaliate, the intensity of condemnation towards Iran’s attack contrasts with previous Israeli actions in Syria. Besides, Israel has indicated its readiness to take appropriate action at the appropriate time. Iran’s warning serves as a clear message to the West to prevent escalation, as any failure to do so could lead to a dangerous cycle of retaliation with potentially grave and uncontrolled consequences.