Iran seeks de-escalation, but threatens retaliation

Iran has signaled that it wishes to avoid an open war with Israel after a senior Hamas official was assassinated in Tehran. Nevertheless, the Islamic Republic threatens retaliation and emphasizes the necessity of deterring Israel. The Iranian government aims to prevent actions like the killing of Ismail Haniyeh and achieve stability in the region. A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Iran has the right to punish Israel according to international law, without intending to escalate tensions in the Middle East. The statements came after the Israeli currency, the Shekel, lost value against the dollar for the sixth consecutive day. Despite these fluctuations, Israeli stocks stabilized following Iran's recent comments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is in a "multi-front war against Iran's axis of evil" and is prepared for all possible scenarios, both offensively and defensively. In Washington, the U.S. government is pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to calm the region. The foreign ministers of the G7 countries discussed the risk of a regional war on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation. It was reported that he warned his G7 counterparts of a potential attack by Iran and Hezbollah on Israel. Haniyeh's death followed an airstrike in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander. Israel claimed responsibility for the strike, accusing Shukr of being responsible for a rocket attack on the Golan Heights. Consequently, Hezbollah is also threatening retaliation, possibly in coordination with Iran. Iran and Israel were already involved in a military confrontation in April when Tehran launched 300 drones and rockets at Israel. This time, Iran's retaliation could be more intense due to the humiliating assassination of a foreign dignitary in its capital. The war in Gaza began on October 7, when Hamas fighters infiltrated southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the Israeli offensive has since killed approximately 40,000 Palestinians. The U.S. and its allies are pressing for an end to the fighting to stabilize the situation in the region.