Velayati describes the recent zionist strike on Iran as “much ado about nothing”

Ali Akbar Velayati described the recent Israeli airstrikes as “much ado about nothing” during a conversation with the Financial Times. His comments were published on Monday, following Israel’s military action against certain facilities in Iran two days prior.

Highlighting Iran’s historical stance of not initiating conflicts, Velayati issued a warning, accusing Israel of being a catalyst for instability in the region.

He stated that the regime’s actions as an instigator of conflict could ignite tensions in the already unstable West Asia region, potentially triggering a series of events that could lead to widespread unrest.

Ali Akbar Velayati emphasized that Iran has historically refrained from initiating conflicts, citing the Iran-Iraq war as a clear testament to this approach. However, he asserted that the nation is prepared to respond decisively to any act of aggression, ensuring that any potential aggressors would rue their actions.

In the early hours of Saturday, Israeli fighter jets, utilizing airspace under United States control over Iraq, launched missile strikes targeting military facilities located in Iran’s provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam, marking a significant violation of Iran’s national sovereignty.

Iran announced that its air defense system successfully intercepted and countered the attack, resulting in only minimal damage to radar installations. The assault claimed the lives of five individuals, comprising four Army officers and one civilian.

In a recent statement, Velayati criticized what he termed as U.S. hypocrisy in its stance toward Israel. He remarked that the United States’ unwavering and direct support for Israel, alongside its parallel appeals for de-escalation via intermediaries, represents two facets of the same strategy.

Since the beginning of October 2023, Israel has launched an intense two-front military campaign, resulting in the deaths of over 43,000 individuals in the Gaza Strip and at least 2,700 casualties in Lebanon, according to recent reports.

During the same timeframe, the current regime has reportedly assassinated key figures among resistance leaders, including Hamas’s political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

“Mutual Respect Forms the Foundation of Cooperation with Western Partners”

In addressing Iran’s ongoing skepticism towards the United States following the latter’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement, Ali Akbar Velayati remarked on the negotiations to restore the accord. Velayati stated, “The rhetoric may vary, with President Joe Biden expressing sentiments discreetly and former President Donald Trump more candidly, yet our encounters with both administrations have not yielded a favorable history of negotiations with the United States.”

Velayati stated that Iran remains skeptical of U.S. intentions, yet emphasized the nation’s willingness to engage in cooperative efforts with Western countries that advocate for interactions grounded in mutual respect.

A representative of the Islamic Republic stated that the nation is willing to engage in cooperation with any Western country interested in genuine relations, on the condition that Iran’s sovereignty is respected and that they are treated as equals.

The nation is actively seeking to establish a renewed equilibrium in its relationships with countries across the Western, Eastern, and developing regions. Authorities have expressed openness to cultivating friendly ties with nations from Europe, Asia, and Africa alike.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who assumed office following his electoral victory last summer, has announced the Islamic Republic’s ambitions to strengthen international relations founded on mutual respect. However, he emphasized that the country remains firm in its stance against any form of coercion or intimidation.