Ali Shamkhani, the Iranian Supreme Leader's advisor for political affairs, posted a message in Hebrew confirming that conditions are now suitable to inflict severe punishment on Israel. He stated that legal, diplomatic, and media actions have been prepared to take this step.
Iran previously affirmed on Saturday that reaching a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza is a "priority" for Tehran, reiterating its "legitimate right" to respond to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, which it attributed to Israel.
Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations stated on Saturday morning, "Our priority is to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Any agreement approved by Hamas will also be recognized by us." However, it also affirmed that Israel has "violated our national security and sovereignty through the recent terrorist act. We have the legitimate right to defend ourselves, which is entirely unrelated to the ceasefire in Gaza."
On the night between Thursday and Friday, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, which is mediating between Israel and Hamas, issued a statement urging the resumption of talks to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza on August 15 in Doha or Cairo "to close all remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without delay."
The leaders of the three countries added, "It is time to finalize an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of prisoners and detainees." On Friday, Israel agreed to resume these negotiations.
In this context, the U.S. State Department stated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant during a phone call on Friday that escalating tensions in the Middle East "is not in the interest of any party," emphasizing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
