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Beyond Missiles and Drones.. Khamenei Threatens and Washington Warns: Confrontation Approaches
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Iranian officials' statements about the nature of the expected response reflect Tehran's desire to exceed the traditional confrontation pattern with Israel
As regional tensions escalate, diplomats have revealed new details about the nature of Iran's expected response to the Israeli strike that targeted its territory on October 26.
The Wall Street Journal, citing diplomatic sources, highlighted Tehran's intention to execute a "strong and complex" operation that goes beyond using missiles and drones, employing warheads more powerful than previous operations.
Iranian officials explained that the conventional army would participate in the expected operation, citing the death of four of its soldiers in the Israeli attack, while an Egyptian official noted receiving special Iranian warnings about the nature of the expected response.
An Iranian official indicated the possibility of using Iraqi territory in part of the operation, with targeting Israeli military facilities in a "more aggressive manner than the previous time."
The official pointed to the impact of U.S. elections on the timing of the response, indicating Tehran's preference to carry out the operation after next Tuesday's presidential vote and before the new president's inauguration in January.
Following U.S. warnings to Iran against retaliating against Israel, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei renewed on Saturday his assertion of his country's "harsh" upcoming response.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the impossibility of leaving the Israeli attack without a response, adding that the "type and intensity" of the response might change if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza and Lebanon.
Levant-Agencies
