Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday warned of a “large-scale war” if Israel decides to strike Iran.
“We are fully prepared for the possibility of further Israeli attacks,” Araghchi said in an interview with the Chinese state-controlled news outlet CCTV. “I hope Israel will refrain from taking such reckless action, as it could lead to a large-scale war.”
"We maintain contact with other Middle Eastern countries and continue to consult with our allies such as China," Araghchi said.
On Oct. 26, Israel launched Operation “Days of Repentance,” a large-scale aerial strike on multiple strategic Iranian military sites. It was an Israeli response to Iran’s large missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1. Some 100 Israeli Air Force planes took part in the aerial strike that destroyed much of Iran’s aerial defenses and missile production capabilities.
The Iranian regime initially downplayed the extensive damage following the Israeli airstrike. Once satellite data revealed the extent of the Israeli strikes, Iran began threatening to strike Israel again. However, more than two months after the Israeli strike, Iran has still not launched a direct response from its own territory.
Araghchi also addressed the fall of the Syrian Assad regime, a key ally of the Iranian regime, stating that the rebellion against Assad happened “quickly” and “was not expected.”
He claimed he does not want Syria to become "a gathering place and shelter for terrorists, and Syria should not become a threat to its neighbors and regional countries."
"The situation in Syria should be decided by the Syrian people themselves," he added.
The Iranian regime has used Syria as a terror base against Israel and a threat to the entire Middle East region. The Assad regime was responsible for the deaths of approximately half a million Syrians, with millions becoming refugees during the civil war in 2011.
In his interview on Saturday, Araghchi also addressed the rise of the new Syrian government, led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.
"How we treat the new Syrian leadership depends on how it acts. Iran is completely well-intentioned. Iran hopes that Syria will stabilize. We hope to help Syria stabilize and ensure the safety of all ethnic groups in Syria, including Shiites, Sunnis, Arabs, and Kurds," he said.
Turning to Lebanon, Araghchi praised Hezbollah forces.
"Israel was forced to accept a ceasefire because of Hezbollah's resolute resistance to Israel's ground offensive in southern Lebanon and because Hezbollah caused casualties in the Israeli army," he stated. "The resistance movement still has a bright future, and Hezbollah is rebuilding itself in a careful manner."
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