Iran has expressed its conditional support for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah but warned that it reserves the right to retaliate for the Israeli airstrikes carried out last month. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking during a visit to Lisbon on Wednesday, indicated that Tehran would carefully monitor Israel’s actions moving forward, suggesting that the future of regional tensions would depend on Israeli behavior.
Araghchi emphasized that while Iran welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, it was still considering its options in light of the Israeli strikes on Iranian assets, which had heightened tensions between the two nations. He stated, “It depends on the behavior of Israel” as to whether the ceasefire could help ease the ongoing hostilities. Iran’s right to act against Israeli aggression remained firmly on the table, though Araghchi stressed that Tehran would also take into account the broader developments unfolding in the region.
Despite Israel’s aggressive campaign, which has included the killing of several key Hezbollah leaders since January and a ground offensive launched in early October, Araghchi contended that the group had not been significantly weakened. He argued that Hezbollah remained resilient and capable of continuing its resistance against Israeli military actions.
This statement reflects the broader tension in the Middle East, where Iran’s support for Hezbollah and its confrontation with Israel continue to shape much of the geopolitical landscape. The situation remains fluid, with Iran carefully assessing its next steps, while also signaling that any future escalation would be carefully measured against the actions of its adversaries in Israel.
In essence, while Iran shows restraint, it also makes it clear that it will not shy away from reacting to Israeli military actions if deemed necessary.
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