Iranian President Warns Ceasefire in Lebanon or Gaza May Impact Response to Israel

Iran’s president has stated that a possible ceasefire involving Iran’s allies and Israel might influence how Tehran responds to recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military sites. He noted that if Israel halts its attacks and agrees to a ceasefire, Iran’s response might vary in intensity.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran would not ignore any attack against its sovereignty or security. Israel’s strikes on October 26 were framed as a reaction to Iran’s missile attacks on October 1, which Iran had described as retaliation for the deaths of several Iran-backed leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander.

Since these escalations, Israel has warned against any Iranian retaliation, while Iran has promised a response. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also affirmed that Iran would respond strongly, mentioning that both the United States and Israel should expect a forceful reply. Khamenei’s remarks referenced Iran’s regional allies, such as Yemen’s Houthis, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and Hamas.

Following the October strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attacks targeted Iran’s defensive and missile production capabilities. According to Iran’s armed forces, the strikes resulted in the deaths of four military personnel and some damage to radar systems, with Iranian media reporting an additional civilian casualty.