Iran’s foreign minister has issued a stark warning to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, indicating that Tehran is prepared for a strong and regrettable response if Israel retaliates following a recent missile attack. On October 1, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the deaths of key allies, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, alongside an Iranian general.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has promised that any retaliatory action from Israel would be “deadly, precise, and surprising.” In a phone conversation with Guterres, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized Iran’s commitment to safeguarding regional peace and security while asserting that the country is fully equipped to respond decisively to any Israeli provocations.
Araghchi urged the United Nations to intervene to halt what he described as the crimes and aggressions of Israel, and to facilitate humanitarian assistance for those affected in Lebanon and Gaza. He also reached out to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, stressing the necessity of stopping Israeli attacks on Lebanon and urging the removal of barriers preventing aid to displaced populations.
This diplomatic activity follows discussions between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and French President Emmanuel Macron. In the last week, Araghchi has traveled to several Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Jordan, and is set to visit Egypt and Turkey to mitigate escalating regional tensions.
During his visit to Jordan, Araghchi met with his counterpart, Ayman Safadi, and also engaged with King Abdullah II to discuss the increasing violence and aggression against Gaza and Lebanon. These developments are unfolding amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a group aligned with Iran, which has been intensifying over the past year and recently drew in Lebanon.
