TEHRAN- The commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s indicated that Iran has evaluated the consequences of its actions against the Israeli regime.

In an interview with CNN, Mohsen Rezaei addressed whether Iran would retaliate against Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau in Tehran, stating that Iran would respond at the appropriate time and location. 

He underscored that under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Iran is entitled to self-defense. Rezaei warned, “Without a response, Israeli aggression would continue, affirming that a reaction is inevitable.” 

The commander also highlighted a critical issue in the region and stated, “The United States has obstructed all political and legal avenues to hold Israel accountable. On the other hand, the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the number of bombs dropped on civilians has surpassed those during World War II, with one in every thirty Palestinians affected, leading to tens of thousands of casualties.”

In addressing the inquiry regarding Iran's strategy to prevent its actions against the Zionist regime from escalating into a significant regional conflict, Rezaei remarked, “We have thoroughly evaluated the repercussions of our actions and will not permit Netanyahu, who is currently facing considerable challenges, to evade accountability. Our approach will be methodical.” 

He added, “We advise the Americans to exercise prudence. They should reflect on the reasons behind their unpopularity in the Middle East.”

A member of the Iranian Expediency Council, Rezaei further explained, “The reality that the U.S. must confront and acknowledge is the necessity to reassess its policies in West Asia. Also, U.S. foreign policy in this area is not formulated in Washington; it is orchestrated in Tel Aviv and subsequently executed by officials in the White House. Essentially, Israel dictates the agenda, and the U.S. complies. This represents a significant blow to U.S. authority.” 

Rezaei underscored, “In this context, the U.S. cannot even be considered a reliable ally for its other partners. Consequently, nations such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other U.S. allies in the region are increasingly gravitating towards Russia and China, resulting in a diminishing trust in the Americans.”

He emphasized that Washington cannot advocate for a decrease in tensions while simultaneously providing unwavering support to Israel, which is the main contributor to those tensions. 

“The influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran is undeniable. Historically and geopolitically, Iran has played a crucial and impactful role. We have stood against Saddam Hussein's aggressions towards both Iran and Kuwait, in addition to fighting terrorism in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We view it as our duty to advance peace and security in the region. The United States should not hinder Iran's initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in the area,” Rezaei concluded.