Iran advisor to supreme leader signals country may expand range of missiles, vows retaliation for Israeli attack

The President Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Kamal Kharazi hinted the country may increase range of its missiles, reiterating that Iran’s response to Zionist regime’s recent attack on the country is ‘definite’.

News ID: 5351

Date: 03 November 2024 - 13:53

TABNAK, Nov, 03 : "So far, we've taken into consideration the Western concerns, mainly those of Europeans, regarding our missile range. However, when they ignore our concerns—particularly regarding the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran—there’s no reason for us to heed their concerns. Therefore, there’s a possibility that Iran may increase its missile range."

He emphasized that Israel has made miscalculations in its wars against Gaza and Lebanon, saying, “They believed that by attacking Gaza and Lebanon, they could eliminate Hamas and Hezbollah. They thought that killing Hamas and Hezbollah leaders would suppress these popular movements. This was a serious miscalculation on their part. Even within Israel, many have acknowledged that, because the will to resist occupation and yearning for freedom cannot be extinguished through military operations.”

He further congratulated Sheikh Naeem Qassem on being elected as the Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, expressing confidence in Hezbollah’s continued strength under his leadership. He noted, “One of the late Nasrallah’s strategies was to prepare individuals for succession at all levels within Hezbollah, ensuring immediate and effective replacements for Hezbollah’s leaders and commanders. Thanks to this strategy, Hezbollah remains strong, despite Israeli attempts to target its leadership.”

Here comes the script of his interview with Lebanese based broadcaster Al-Mayadeen.

Question:
Welcome, Dr. Kharrazi. Let’s begin with Israel’s aggression against Iran. Some exaggerate the scale, while others downplay it. How do you assess this aggression compared to the “True Promise 2” operation that shook Israel to its core?

Kharrazi:
Israel’s response to our successful missile attacks, which were carried out with 200 missiles, was disproportionate since Iran’s defense systems intercepted most of their missiles. This, sparked domestic criticism within Israel, as expectations for their military response were much higher. Therefore, it’s evident that what they achieved fell short compared to our operations.

Question:
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to this aggression as a mistake by Israel and mentioned that Iranian officials would decide how to respond. Is Iran currently preparing for a “True Promise 3” operation?

Kharrazi:
Iran will surely respond appropriately and in due time. Israel’s initial calculations were flawed, as they believed attacking Gaza and Lebanon would eliminate Hamas and Hezbollah and that the martyrdom of those leaders would dampen their popular support. But these were serious miscalculations. Many in Israel now acknowledge that, realizing that resistance and the yearning for freedom cannot be eradicated through military means. This is a universal human experience. Consequently, Hamas and Hezbollah continue to operate powerfully, and even though Hezbollah’s leader Nasrallah was martyred, Hezbollah remains unshaken. Just recently, Sheikh Naeem Qassem, with over 30 years of service within Hezbollah, was elected as his successor, bringing in-depth knowledge of the organization’s workings. With him at the helm, Hezbollah will undoubtedly continue its mission.

Question:
Can we say that, following the “True Promise” operations and Israel’s recent aggression against Iran, your country has moved beyond deterrence and effectively entered a state of war with Israel? And if Iran’s response escalates the conflict, is Iran prepared?

Kharrazi:
We are fully prepared for the reaction but prefer to prevent a regional escalation. In fact, through our recent strikes, we’ve demonstrated our deterrent capabilities. If Israel persists in its aggression, we will naturally respond.

Question:
You have met with the late Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah many times. What can you say about this great commander and leader who was unwaveringly committed to defending the oppressed, especially the Palestinian cause, and has now become the “Chief Martyr” of the Path to Jerusalem?

Kharrazi:
The martyr Nasrallah was an assertive, wise, courageous, and popular leader. These qualities made him a prominent political figure in the Islamic world. Losing such a leader is a significant loss for everyone, especially the Lebanese, whose security rests in Hezbollah’s hands. Resistance movements often face the loss of their great leaders, but successors take their place. Nasrallah’s strategy was to prepare a new generation of leaders capable of immediately assuming the responsibilities of martyred Hezbollah commanders. Thanks to this strategy, Hezbollah remains strong and resilient in both military and political arenas, countering Israeli ambitions to see it weakened.

Question:
Amid military, political, and security challenges, Hezbollah has selected Sheikh Naeem Qassem as its Secretary-General. What does this mean for Hezbollah’s allies? What implications does it have, especially for Iran? And how will his election aid diplomatic efforts at this critical time?

Kharrazi:
Mr. Naeem Qassem has already shown his capabilities on the political front. This is a great honor for the Lebanese people and Hezbollah’s Supreme Council. Iranian officials, as do I, have congratulated him on his election. Under his leadership, Hezbollah will undoubtedly continue fulfilling its duties with strength.

Question:
How do you see the regional and international negotiation landscape for reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon? How does Iran exert diplomatic pressure to push the Zionist regime towards a ceasefire, especially in Lebanon?

Kharrazi:
Iran is not involved in ceasefire negotiations; that responsibility rests with the Lebanese and Palestinians. However, we support any decision they would make.

Question:
What is Iran’s position on indirect negotiations with the United States, especially as the U.S. heads toward its presidential election? Does Iran remain committed to negotiations for a nuclear agreement?

Kharrazi:
We are committed to dialogue and our previous agreements, provided the other parties honor their commitments. Unfortunately, they have not done so and continue imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran rather than engaging in genuine dialogue.

Question:
Strategically speaking, what practical outlook does Tehran have for strengthening its ties with Russia and China to foster a new international order?

Kharrazi:
Russia and China are working towards a new world order to end Western dominance, and we share that vision with them. We believe emerging powers like Iran should play a prominent role in shaping a more democratic global order. The steps taken within organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and the New Development Bank are aligned with this goal. As a member, Iran is actively working towards this new order.

Question:
Why was signing a strategic cooperation agreement with Russia delayed, and when is it expected to be finalized?

Kharrazi:
The agreement is complete and covers all dimensions of Iran-Russia relations. It was initially scheduled for the recent BRICS summit in Kazan, but was postponed for a bilateral meeting to emphasize its importance. It is expected to be signed soon.

Question:
You were the first to suggest that if the Islamic Republic of Iran is threatened or attacked, it might reconsider its nuclear doctrine. What do you mean by changing Iran’s nuclear doctrine?

Kharrazi:
That stance remains: if the Islamic Republic of Iran faces an existential threat, we would have no choice but to adjust our military doctrine. We already have the technical capabilities to produce weapons; only a religious decree forbidding nuclear weapons prevents us from doing so. Our missile capabilities are well-established too, and we demonstrated this entirely in the “True Promise” operation. So far, we’ve taken into consideration the Western concerns, mainly those of Europeans, regarding our missile range. However, when they ignore our concerns—particularly regarding the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran—there’s no reason for us to heed their concerns. Therefore, there’s a possibility that Iran may increase its missile range.

Question:
What approach does Iran take regarding its expanding relations with neighboring countries, especially as it sees new prospects with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey?

Kharrazi:
Iran’s strategic policy is to expand its relations with neighboring countries, regardless of their governmental systems and differences. We strive for regional peace and collective security. All neighboring countries know this policy, and we are advancing in this direction. Some might not welcome this policy and resort to unfavorable propaganda. Recently, I referred to a historical fact regarding the State of Bahrain, noting that it was once part of Iran as the 14th province. However, today, Bahrain is an independent Arab State, and Iran has recognized it. Unfortunately, some media outlets falsely claimed I had questioned Bahrain’s independence and Arab identity.

Question:
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us at this critical moment.

Kharrazi:
We hope this unjust war—one waged by the occupier Israel, a regime that engages in genocide and the killing of children—ends soon. This regime thinks it can claim victory through destruction and violence, but this is not victory; it is a denial of humanity. The latest action taken by the Israelis was to ban UNRWA operations in Palestine, essentially aiming to cut food and water delivery to the people of Gaza. This is the ultimate crime against humanity, and we hope the world will awaken and put pressure on the Israeli regime. Unfortunately, Western countries—both European and American—support this criminal regime by supporting it with money and weapons. However, the outcome is clear: the will of the people cannot be destroyed. The Palestinians and Lebanese have decided to stand against these bullying and crimes until their final victory.