Follow-up – Al-Rashid
Reuters reported, citing Iranian sources, that Tehran informed Washington that the Iranian response to the Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus would be in a way that would avoid escalation.
According to the sources, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian conveyed this message to Washington during his visit to the Sultanate of Oman on Sunday.
Sources say that Abdullahian, during his visit to Amman, hinted at Iran’s readiness to stop the escalation if its demands are met, including the demand for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
He also hinted at Tehran’s readiness to resume negotiations on its nuclear program, which have stalled for nearly two years.
Another source close to US intelligence said that he was not aware of any message from Iran via the Sultanate of Oman, but that Iran “was very clear” that its response to the Damascus attack would be “under control” and “non-escalatory,” and that it plans to “use proxies.” In the region to launch a number of attacks on Israel.
The source added that Iran “does not want the United States to interfere” in the situation, and therefore will not direct its allies in Syria and Iraq to attack American bases.
Reuters indicated that the White House refused to comment on any messages from Iran, but confirmed that the United States informed Iran that it had no role in the strike on the Iranian consulate.
It is noteworthy that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on Wednesday that Israel “will be punished” for its attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which was carried out on April 1, and which resulted in the killing of several prominent members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
In this context, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz announced that Israel will respond to any attack by Iran, and if the attack is launched from Iranian territory, Israel will respond by striking Iran.
US President Joe Biden also confirmed that he informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington will stand by Israel to confront the threats of Iran and its “agents.”
