Iran vows retaliation against Israel, emphasises ‘surprise’ timing amid Gaza cease-fire talks
HAMILTON, Canada – On Wednesday, the president of Iran’s permanent mission to the UN disclosed that Iran had been carefully plotting a retaliatory strike on Israel. At the same time, cease-fire talks are being conducted in Gaza.
When asked whether Iran is planning to prolong the suspension of attacking Israel during the truce negotiations in the strip, the mission said there are two specific goals Iran seeks to address. The first is to ‘punish the aggressor’ for its actions, and the second is to increase Iran’s capability of deterring the Israeli regime so much that it regrets its action and does not attempt to invade Iran in the future.
“That is why Iran must act cautiously so that its actions would not have any negative effect that could in some way potentially affect a possible ceasefire that is expected to be proclaimed by one of the warring sides,” the mission concluded – the strike is being planned down to the finest details in terms of timing and method so that the enemy does not get any hint of what’s coming.
The mission suggested that the attack could be launched when Israel least expects it, for instance, when it is concentrated on the skies and radar only to be attacked on the ground or a mix of both.
Local hostility has risen dramatically since the murder of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran in what has been described as a retaliatory assassination since he was present at the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president. Also, Hezbollah is likely to retaliate after one of its most senior commanders, Fouad Shukr, was assassinated in Beirut on July 30.
Following a Hamas incursion that killed 1,200 people since October 7, Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza and kidnapped about 250 people as hostages. Efforts to put an end to the conflict and achieve the rescue of the rest of the hostages are in progress, with the US, Qatar, and Egypt in negotiations.
The world is observing the situation, as Iran may launch its reprisal that would contribute to the escalation of the situation in the troubled region. Currently, international actors are pressing efforts to settle the cease-fire in Gaza; however, there are concerns that Tehran’s reprisal might jeopardize the simmering peace agreements and trigger large-scale conflict between several Middle Eastern countries. At the same time, mediators are increasing their activities, working towards ensuring no further aggravation of the conflict and a possible solution.
