Iran Maneuvers in Response to Israel, Promising New Methods

The Revolutionary Guard says that time is on Tehran's side and the waiting period for a response could be long.

22nd August 2024

3 minutes read

Iran Maneuvers in Response to Israel, Promising New Methods

On Tuesday, official media reported that the spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Ali Mohammad Nayyeri, said that the waiting period for Iran’s response to Israel could be long. Iranian leaders are considering all circumstances, and Tehran’s response will not follow the methods of previous operations.

The Middle East is bracing for a revenge that Iran has vowed following the killing of Hamas’ political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on July 31. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh‘s death.

Nayyeri stated, “Time is on our side and the waiting period for this response could be long,” referring to revenge against Israel, adding that “the enemy” should expect a calculated and precise response.

Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the attack that killed Haniyeh, which occurred just hours after his attendance at the inauguration of the new Iranian president, Masoud Bezhkishian.

The United States is asking its allies with ties to Iran to persuade Tehran to ease tensions in the Middle East, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting the region to push for progress towards a ceasefire in Gaza.

Nayyeri stated that Tehran supports any movement that would end the war in Gaza and assist the people of the region. He added, “We do not consider U.S. actions sincere… We see them as a party in the war.”

On Friday, Israel said it expects the U.S.-led coalition to “not only repel an Iranian attack but also attack important targets in Iran” if Tehran strikes Tel Aviv.

This statement was made by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz following a meeting at his office in West Jerusalem with his French and British counterparts, Stéphane Séjourné and David Lammy, respectively, according to a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement indicated that Séjourné and Lammy “came to Israel with the aim of preventing regional escalation and promoting a hostage deal,” referring to a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza.

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During the meeting, Katz clarified that Tel Aviv “expects France and Britain to publicly make it clear to Iran that attacking Israel is prohibited,” according to the statement.

He added, “I explained to the ministers that if Iran attacks, Israel expects the international coalition led by the United States, Britain, and France to join Israel not only in defense but also in attacking important targets in Iran,” according to the statement.

In April, the United States, France, and Britain contributed to repelling an Iranian attack involving over 200 drones and missiles against Israel, after Tehran accused Tel Aviv of killing Revolutionary Guard leaders in an airstrike targeting the consular section of the Tehran embassy in Damascus.

Katz added, “Iran must understand that if it does not stop direct and indirect aggression against Israel, it will pay a heavy price in strategic and economic terms. This is the only chance to prevent a total war.”

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement did not include the British and French foreign ministers’ positions on Katz’s remarks.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said last week, “In recent days, we have devoted our time to strengthening defense and creating offensive options for response, with the main goal being to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” possibly referring to Israeli preparations for the promised Iranian attack.

Axios correspondent in Tel Aviv, Barak Ravid, reported that following Haniyeh‘s assassination, Israeli intelligence believes Iran could attack Israel in the coming days, and directly.

However, subsequent reports have indicated a division within the Iranian leadership regarding the issue of response.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the new Iranian president, Masoud Bezhkishian, has placed economic reform and international relations at the top of his agenda, and that he “is concerned about the severe consequences of an attack on the country.”