2024-08-09 18:31:36
Tehran: Iran‘s President Masoud Pezeshkian is urging the country to avoid war with Israel. He has requested Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to refrain from attacking Israel, citing the devastating impact such a conflict would have on Iran and the entire region. This comes after Iran threatened to directly attack Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
According to Iran International, during a recent meeting with Khamenei, President Pezeshkian explicitly urged him to prevent any direct Iranian attack on Israel, fearing the devastating consequences of such an action. He warned that such a conflict could severely disrupt his presidency and cause immense economic and political problems for Iran. He specifically highlighted the potential for an Israeli retaliatory strike against Iran’s infrastructure and energy resources, which could cripple the Iranian economy and potentially lead to the collapse of the country.
Will Khamenei heed the President’s advice?
Pezeshkian also addressed the criticism he has faced from some quarters for his stance, claiming that his opposition to military action is based on national interest and not a lack of experience. He emphasized that a war with Israel would not only have severe economic repercussions but would also damage Iran’s international reputation. Despite these warnings, Khamenei has not publicly indicated that he will abandon the planned attack. His response to Pezeshkian’s plea remains unknown.
Additional Context:
Pezeshkian was elected president following the death of President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. He was sworn in last month, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in attendance at the ceremony. Haniyeh was later killed in an attack in Tehran, sparking Iran’s fury.