Trump’s Rise Prompts Iran to Consider the Consequences of a Potential Attack on Israel

Ali Larijani accuses Israel of attempting to shift the conflict to Iran, urging cautious and unemotional action.

9th November 2024

2 minutes read

Trump’s Rise Prompts Iran to Consider the Consequences of a Potential Attack on Israel

An advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned against any “reckless” response to the Israeli strikes that targeted Iran last month. This statement contrasts with the threats and warnings from many Iranian officials who have called for retaliation against the Israeli attacks on Tehran last month.

Ali Larijani stated to public television on Thursday night, “Israel aims to shift the conflict to Iran. We must act wisely to avoid falling into this trap and avoid an unconsidered response.”

It is believed that the Iranian official’s stance is influenced by the aftermath of the election of Republican candidate Donald Trump as U.S. President. Trump is one of Iran’s most ardent critics, having imposed severe sanctions on Tehran during his first term, following his 2018 decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Trump is also a major supporter of Israel and has personal ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During his term, he moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and oversaw peace agreements between Israel and several Arab countries.

Iran watches Trump and his policies with significant concern, describing them as hostile, as it considers itself one of the most affected by his approaches. Its intelligence services have been accused by Washington of repeated assassination attempts against Trump, claims that Tehran denies.

Israeli warplanes struck military sites in Iran on October 26, in response to a large Iranian missile attack on Israel at the start of the same month.

Iran announced that it launched 200 missiles on Israel on October 1, in response to the assassination of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, along with a high-ranking commander of the Revolutionary Guards in an Israeli strike in southern Beirut, and Hamas’ Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in an operation in Tehran attributed to Israel.

After Israel’s response, Iran warned against any retaliation, but the Islamic Republic pledged to respond.

Larijani added, “Our actions and reactions are strategically defined, so we must avoid any emotional or unconsidered response and remain fully rational.” This comes amid threats from Revolutionary Guard commanders, backed by Khamenei, to launch an attack without considering the serious consequences for the region.

The Israeli side also warned Iraq against allowing an Iranian attack through its airspace and territory, calling for an end to attacks by Revolutionary Guard-affiliated armed groups, whether through ballistic missiles or drones.

The former president of the Majlis also praised Nasrallah for agreeing to a ceasefire in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, rather than making an “emotional decision.”

Iranian President Masoud Bezhgikian said that a potential ceasefire between Iran’s allies and Israel could affect Tehran’s response to Israeli strikes.