Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for readiness for a potential large-scale conflict during a meeting with the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), emphasizing the need to demonstrate strength to deter aggression.
“Preparation for war prevents war. If you want to avert its outbreak, you must show strength and readiness for both war and defense. This deters war. If you show even the slightest weakness or lack of preparedness, war will be imposed upon you,” said Araghchi, according to his press office.
“We have declared that the recent Israeli regime operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran constitutes another act of aggression. The Truthful Promise and Truthful Promise 2 operations were defensive in nature. The new aggression by the Israeli regime warrants a response. We have not renounced our right to retaliate. We will choose the time and respond in a manner we see fit,” he added.
On October 1, Iran launched a significant missile attack on Israel, labeling it Truthful Promise 2 in continuation of Truthful Promise 1, which had targeted Israel in April 2024 in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Araghchi stressed that any decision to conduct a Truthful Promise 3 operation, in response to Israel's October 26 strike, would be calculated and devoid of emotional impulses.
The October 1 Iranian missile strike was framed as a response to the assassination of key leaders in Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC by Israel. In turn, Israel vowed retaliation.
On October 26, the Israeli military reported strikes on Iranian military facilities, citing “numerous ongoing attacks” by Iran. According to Iran's air defense forces, the strikes targeted military sites in Ilam, Tehran, and Khuzestan provinces. While the main attack was repelled with limited damage, at least four Iranian soldiers and one civilian were killed.
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Based on TASS materials