Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of seeking to expand the conflict in the Middle East, claiming that Israel is setting "traps" to draw Iran into a wider war. Speaking to media representatives, Pezeshkian insisted that Iran does not want to see the current Gaza conflict and cross-border strikes between Israel and Lebanon escalate further.
The Iranian leader pointed to Israel's explosions of electronic devices in Lebanon and the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, as proof of Israel's intentions. "They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go," Pezeshkian stated.
Earlier today (Tuesday), on the news site associated with the exiled Iranian opposition, "Iran International", he said, "We are ready to lay down all our weapons, provided that Israel lays down its weapons and an international organization comes to provide security in the region ... There is no real need for them and we know how to take care of our security,"
In response to the question about Iranian arms supplies to Russia, the President said: "Why should we kill each other instead of talking?"
He also said that "A terrorist is a terrorist. Whether he is Arab, Persian or Jewish. Whether it's Israel, America or Iran. If he's an assassin, then he's a terrorist," in an apparent reference to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh,
Pazhakian addressed the media representatives, telling them, "This is our whole point. You can publish it however you want. Let's make it so we don't fight. What we can solve through dialogue, let's not solve with missiles and guns."
Striking a completely different tone, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, declared that Iran "will NOT remain indifferent" to Israel's actions, sharing images of what appeared to be civilian casualties in Lebanon. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also warned of "dangerous consequences" to Israel's "new adventure."
The conflict has drawn international concern: Egypt and Turkey have called for immediate intervention to prevent a potential regional war, which America has been trying to prevent for the last eleven months.