Iran may be concerned about reports of tensions with Israel over Tehran’s ballistic missile program. Several reports over the weekend and early this week claimed that the Jewish state is tracking Iran’s missile threat.
This follows months of reports that suggest a new round of conflict between Israel and Iran could occur. The Islamic Republic appears to be messaging about this possibility.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who held a lengthy press conference on Monday to discuss various issues, claimed that “the regime has a long-standing record of designing and carrying out false flag operations. That the Israeli regime has a long record in designing and implementing so-called false flag operations is not a new matter, and many of these cases are today known.”
He made a number of statements about Iran’s current posture. Baqaei claimed that Iran was not involved in the conflict in Ukraine. He also said Iran and Russia enjoy broad ties.
“Iran-Russia relations are very extensive, and the exchange of diplomatic delegations from both sides is completely customary,” he said.
Then he turned to the US and said it had not abided by various commitments. “Based on the understanding that had been reached, it was supposed that assets belonging to the Iranian people would be made available to the government of the Islamic Republic.”
“Unfortunately, the American side did not act on its commitments, and this breach of promise continues to this day.”
Baqaei also slammed Israel and said Iran is purely in a defensive posture.
“Addressing a question by IRNA about renewed media campaigns in Israeli and pro-Israeli US outlets suggesting that the Israeli prime minister would seek to persuade the US president to repeat aggression against Iran under the pretext of Iran’s missile program, Baqaei rejected the premise outright,” a report at Iranian state media IRNA said.
“Baqaei said Iran’s missile program is purely defensive in nature and was developed solely to protect the country’s sovereignty.”
“The defensive capabilities of Iran are designed to deter aggressors from even contemplating an attack on Iran and are in no way subject to dialogue or bargaining,” IRNA said, he added.
Iranian message may be designed to deter Israeli attack
These comments make it seem that the Islamic Republic is concerned that Israel could carry out an attack.
On Tuesday, Iranian state media published additional messaging that may be intended to deter an attack. “Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, has emphasized that Iran has the right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to continue its peaceful nuclear program,” an IRNA report said.
Russia appears to be responding to claims that Iran is reviving its nuclear program. Iran has “the inalienable right to maintain a national nuclear program provided that it serves exclusively peaceful purposes,” Ulyanov wrote on X/Twitter.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has apparently sought to reduce tensions by saying Iran is ready for a “fair and balanced” deal over its nuclear program.
He spoke to Russia about this on Tuesday. “The interview focused on Iran’s nuclear issue, which remains unresolved following US-Israeli attacks on Iran in June, including strikes on its nuclear facilities,” according to IRNA.
“The attacks took place during the 12-day war that Israel waged beginning on June 13, three days before a sixth round of talks between Tehran and Washington on the nuclear issue,” it further noted.
This appears to be more messaging by Iran to Russia regarding tensions with Israel and the US. Asked about talks with the US, Araghchi said, “It depends on whether they conclude that negotiation is different from dictation.”
“We are already ready for a fair and balanced negotiated agreement, but we are not prepared for a diktat,” Araghchi reportedly said. “So, if they approach us for a fair and balanced idea, for a negotiated solution which is based on mutual benefits of both sides, then we would consider.”
The comments come as Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, faces mounting pressure domestically. Iran is in an economic crisis, and the government appears unable to assert itself.
It also seems that Pezeshkian is facing challenges from parliament and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This creates challenges for Iran in developing a systematic foreign or military policy domestically.
The commander of the IRGC Ground Force, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Karami, made comments this week about Iran’s security.
IRNA noted that while “addressing a conference on Sunday, Karami highlighted the deep connection between security and economic as well as scientific growth. He noted that southeastern Iran is a rich region that can be transformed into an axis of stability, security, and national progress.”
He added that the “region’s proximity to Pakistan and Afghanistan via Chabahar [Port], as well as to Oman and African countries, can serve as a powerful driver of economic development in southeastern Iran.”
Of interest was the fact that the usually bellicose IRGC did not make a lot of comments threatening anyone. It is possible that the IRGC also realizes Iran’s current limitations.