3 weeks ago
Last Updated:October 27, 2024, 16:28 IST
Without elaborating, he describing the deadly attack as a "miscalculation"
The evil perpetrated by the Zionist regime (Israel) two nights ago must not be exaggerated or minimised, Khamenei said in a post on X. (Image: Reuters)
Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday said Israel’s attack on the Islamic republic “should neither be exaggerated nor minimised.”
On Saturday, Israel carried out air strikes against military sites in Iran in response to Tehran’s missile attack on October 1, itself a retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander. In a post on X, Khamenei said, “The evil perpetrated by the Zionist regime (Israel) two nights ago must not be exaggerated or minimised.” Without elaborating, he described the deadly attack as a “miscalculation”.
“Zionists are making a miscalculation with respect to Iran. They don’t know Iran. They still haven’t been able to correctly understand the power, initiative, and determination of the Iranian people. We need to make them understand these things,” Khamenei said. “Our officials should be the ones to assess and precisely apprehend what needs to be done [to show the power of Iranian people to enemy] and do whatever is in the best interests of this country and nation,” he added.
Zionists are making a miscalculation with respect to Iran. They don’t know Iran. They still haven’t been able to correctly understand the power, initiative, and determination of the Iranian people. We need to make them understand these things.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) October 27, 2024
Iran’s defensive capabilities
At least four Iranian soldiers were killed in the attack which Iran said caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems. The Israeli military has warned Tehran against responding. Iranian officials and media have since downplayed the Israeli strikes, highlighting Iran’s defensive capabilities but issued no vows of a direct response.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian paid tribute to the killed soldiers, hailing their efforts in “defending their land without fear.” It was retaliation for Iran’s Oct. 1 attack on Israel with about 200 ballistic missiles, and Israel warned its heavily armed arch-foe not to hit back after the latest strike.
Iran condemned the Israeli raid and its foreign ministry said Iran was “entitled and obligated” to defend itself. But it added that it “recognises its responsibilities towards regional peace and security,” a more conciliatory statement than after previous bouts of escalation.
Iran’s military said the Israeli warplanes used “very light warheads” to target border radar systems in the provinces of Ilam, Khuzestan and around Tehran.
“Enemy planes were prevented from entering the country’s airspace … and the attack caused limited damage,” Iran’s military joint staff said in a statement.
(With agency inputs)
Location :Tehran, Iran
First Published:October 27, 2024, 16:28 IST
News world 'Neither Be Exaggerated Nor...': Iran's Khamenei Downplays Israel Attack, Vows Strong Response
