Iran 'fully prepared' for 'stronger defense measures' if attacked: FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Oct 2024 21:29

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns that Iran is prepared to take stronger defensive measures if faced with aggression, condemning the Israeli occupation's actions in Gaza and Lebanon as war crimes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP)

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran is ready to take stronger defensive measures if faced with aggression.

In letters addressed to foreign ministers worldwide, Araghchi condemned the ongoing Israeli occupation's war on Gaza and Lebanon, citing the resulting killing and displacement of civilians, as well as the destruction of infrastructure. The Iranian FM described these actions as severe threats to both regional and global peace, labeling them as war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

"The unlimited impunity Israel enjoys has made the regime expand its attacks on Lebanon, including massive airstrikes on residential areas using US-made bunker-buster bombs," read the letter, stressing the continued failure of the UN Security Council to fulfill its duties.

Araghchi also underscored that this failure has not only allowed for the war to continue but rather also emboldened the Israeli occupation as it continues to commit its crimes.

In his letters, the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighted Iran's missile strike on Israeli military targets on October 1. He explained that this action came after weeks of restraint aimed at facilitating a ceasefire in Gaza. Araghchi stressed that this response underscores Iran’s sense of responsibility toward maintaining international peace and security.

"If necessary, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to take more and stronger defensive measures against any aggressive action and will not hesitate in this regard," he stressed. The top Iranian diplomat also urged collective efforts, on the diplomatic level, to force "Israel" to end its aggression on civilians in both Palestine and Lebanon.

Additionally, Araghchi sent letters to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the head of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, voicing serious concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon.

He called upon both organizations to take urgent and effective action to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli occupation's wars, mobilize international aid, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to areas impacted by the Israeli occupation's bombardments.

Moreover, Araghchi called for an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the dire situation in Gaza and Lebanon in a letter to the OIC Secretary General.

Sanctions in lieu of hitting Iran oil facilities: US offer to 'Israel'

US President Joe Biden has cautioned "Israel" not to attack Iran's nuclear installations, and US officials are concerned that an assault on the country's energy infrastructure may destabilize energy markets, Bloomberg reported. However, with the Israeli response against Iran likely at any time, the US has little confidence that the situation would not worsen further.

After Iran's Operation True Promise 2, Biden is desperately attempting to confine any Israeli response to military targets such as air bases and missile installations. To this end, rather than "Israel" targeting oil facilities or other economic targets, the US is offering options such as a new wave of economic sanctions, according to anonymous individuals familiar with the situation.

The US strategy is to provide Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an out, allowing him to reject calls from hardliners in his coalition for considerably harsher reprisal. It remains to be seen if he will accept it, especially considering that the Biden administration has so far refused to impose its views by suspending military aid to the occupation.

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign wants to avoid the controversy from draining support in crucial states, particularly Michigan, which has a sizable Arab and Muslim American community. Netanyahu, who has openly boasted about his strong ties with Republican nominee Donald Trump, has shown little interest in helping her.

According to Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group, "Escalation in the region helps Trump, which is also good for Bibi because it means not just four more weeks of unrestrained behavior, but four years of no American pressure."

On Wednesday, Biden and Netanyahu spoke for the first time in almost a month, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre describing the call as "direct" and "productive". It happened after Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant postponed a visit to the United States. An Israeli official, who requested anonymity to discuss the subject, said Netanyahu instructed Gallant not to leave until his cabinet authorized its response to Iran.

Gallant on Wednesday vowed that “our attack on Iran will be deadly, precise and above all surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened. They will see the results.”

Gallant misled the public into believing Iran's strike was a failure, something widely debunked in recent reports.