‘Phase of unilateral self-restraint has ended,’ Iran tells US in indirect message: Official
An Iranian source has told Al Jazeera that Iran has sent a message to the United States, via Qatar, addressing the rising regional tensions. In the message, Tehran told Washington that “the phase of unilateral self-restraint has ended.”
It also said any Israeli attack would meet an “unconventional response” that includes targeting Israeli infrastructure.
The indirect message also emphasised that Iran does not want a regional war, the official said.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday
Iran’s message seems to be a response to Biden
Iran’s message sent to the US via Qatar seems to be a response to what US President Joe Biden said yesterday.
Biden said Israel has the right to retaliate for the recent Iranian strikes, unlike what happened in April when Iran targeted Israel and the White House cautioned Israel not to respond.
The Iranian message could be interpreted in one of two ways. It could mean, “We don’t want you to do anything, we’re trying to deter that,” or it could be a warning: “You take action and our response it going to be even bigger.”
Tehran considers Iran and Israel ‘even’: Analyst
Elijah Magnier, a military analyst, has told Al Jazeera that Iran has two choices: either “wait until all of its allies are defeated and then its turn will come to be attacked by Israel”, or “join the battle now”.
“Iran will not tolerate any Israeli attack, even against military facilities or security facilities because Iran … considers they are now even … Israel hit twice, Iran hit twice,” he said.
However, Magnier warned that Israel was still expected to attack, “because Netanyahu is a warmonger”. “He is just starting,” he added.
Gulf states, Iran have talks amid fears of wider conflict: Report
Ministers from Gulf Arab states and Iran attending a meeting of Asian nations hosted by Qatar have discussed de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran, three sources told the Reuters news agency.
The Gulf Arab states sought to reassure Iran of their neutrality in the conflict on the back of concerns that a wider escalation in violence could threaten Gulf oil facilities, two of the sources said.
