TEHRAN – Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, has called for an increase and enhancement of Iran's deterrent capabilities, emphasizing the need for stronger defenses across different fronts. 

The prominent cleric’s remarks come as Israel says it is preparing to respond to Iran’s retaliatory attack that targeted Israeli military bases in the occupied territories earlier this month. 

During an interview with Iranian media, Hassan Khomeini clarified his position, stating, "I am neither in politics nor the military; I am simply expressing my personal opinion on enhancing the level of deterrence." When asked for specifics on what kind of deterrence enhancement he envisioned, the cleric responded, "I'll say this much for now."

Hassan Khomeini emphasized the significance of recent Iranian missile strikes on Israel, stating, "The most significant impact of Operation True Promise II was the courage it gave to the Iranian nation. The missile barrage aimed at Israel destroyed its Iron Dome and shattered its deterrence. Deterrence is about power, not about 'smiles.' We must understand that velvet gloves hide iron hands." 

He lauded the recent trips by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to regional countries during the current tense period, calling them "highly commendable."

While acknowledging the dangers of war, Hassan Khomeini stressed the importance of unwavering resolve in the face of aggression. "War is bad under any circumstances and should be avoided," he said, "however, fear of war is worse—an example of this is Shah Sultan Hossein. The whole world should know that when that point is reached, we will stand firm without retreating, even though Iran and Hezbollah have never been warlike. In the matter of Israel, defense is paramount, but if it comes to a confrontation, we must stand firm. In our resistance, we pursue steadfastness, not aggression."

Imam Khomeini’s grandson reiterated Iran's commitment to a Palestinian right to return and self-determination. "We believe that Palestinian refugees should return to their homeland and a referendum should be held so that the government of Palestine can determine its own future," he stated. "This is the legitimate solution of the Islamic Republic of Iran; however, Americans and Israelis propose a two-state solution because they are trying to gain global acceptance for the legitimacy of the Israeli regime. More than 20 years have passed since 2004, yet during this time, the two-state solution has not been pursued."