The Iranian regime continues to plan its response to Israel’s strikes in October, according to Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with the Tasnim news agency, Larijani confirmed that military officials are strategizing various approaches to respond to Israel’s actions.
Larijani also accused the United States of backing Israel’s operations in the Middle East, claiming that the U.S. is playing a role in “orchestrating events” as part of a “shadow war.”
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Iran’s support for “the Resistance” during an interview with the Hezbollah-affiliated news outlet al-Mayadeen.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran would stand by resistance movements and support them in every way possible, pledging retaliation against Israel at a “suitable time.”
Maj.-Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), echoed these sentiments during a meeting with Basij forces. He stated that Israel is “terrified” and facing significant morale challenges, while Hezbollah and other resistance groups are in a stronger position. Salami warned that any further escalation in the region would lead to Israel’s eventual destruction, adding that “destruction awaits Israel.”
Supreme Leader Khamenei also addressed the Basij forces, reiterating that Israel would not prevail in its conflicts with Hamas or Hezbollah. He declared that “the enemy has not won in Gaza and Lebanon” and would not succeed in those areas.
Khamenei also took the opportunity to comment on the recent actions of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on charges of war crimes in Gaza.
Khamenei called these actions war crimes and called for the death penalty for the Israeli leaders involved. Later, on his Hebrew social media account, Khamenei further called for the prosecution of all political and military leaders of Israel.