Iran Ready to Respond to Israel, Larijani Says Amid Netanyahu Threats

In response to the question, “But Netanyahu announced two days ago that Iran is preparing to attack Israel, and we are also preparing for this attack. Were you surprised to hear this?” Larijani said:

“I should not answer this issue directly, but we are always ready to respond firmly to Israel. Israel is an entity that does not leave peace in the region. As long as Netanyahu is in power, even the people living in the land of Palestine will not have peace. He is evil.”

According to Saed News citing ISNA, he added:

“Israel has not left peace in the region or anywhere else. Look at Lebanon. It is disturbing. Look at the situation it has created in Syria. It creates security chaos in the region. I repeat, even in the land of Palestine, the people living there will not have peace as long as Netanyahu is in power. He creates crises for his personal interests.”

Negotiation as a Pretext for the Next War Holds No Value

Responding to a question about recent remarks by Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s Vice President, regarding negotiations with the U.S., including direct talks, Larijani said:

“Negotiations have a tactical dimension. There are two ways to negotiate. Sometimes a country realizes that war is pointless and decides to negotiate to resolve the issue. This type of negotiation is fruitful. But sometimes, a country uses negotiation as a pretext for the next war, and that is deception.”

He emphasized:

“Therefore, first, the U.S. must clarify its position because while it talks about negotiation, it also talks about war. This means that apparently, the U.S. still has not understood. If the U.S. ever realizes that war with Iran is futile and costly even for itself, Iran will not be brought down by war. The Iranian revolution is deeply rooted. It is not like a coup in a country such as Libya. It is a country with profound popular foundations.”

The Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council added:

“Seventy-seven percent of Iranians participated in the revolution. This revolution is deeply rooted. If they understand that they cannot confront Iran through military operations because the Iranian people support it, they can negotiate—and in that case, Iran will never reject negotiation. But if they want to use negotiation as a tool for the next war, it has no value.”