Iran‘s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not mention retaliation during his speech Israel‘s recent attack on Iranian targets, saying the incident “should not be exaggerated or downplayed.”
His comments come as tensions between the two countries simmer following Saturday’s airstrikes by Israel in response to Iranian missile fire earlier this month.
“The Israeli regime’s evil actions two nights ago should not be exaggerated or downplayed,” Khamenei said.
“The Israeli regime’s miscalculations must be disrupted. It is essential to make them understand the strength, will and initiative of the Iranian nation and its youth,” he added.
Although he refrained from directly calling for retaliation, Khamenei emphasized Iran’s ability to assert its influence.
Iranian military and political figures have followed this strategic caution, pointing to regional ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon as a priority over immediate retaliation. State media reported that the airstrikes killed four Iranian soldiers.
On Saturday, Israeli warplanes launched targeted strikes on military sites in Iran, in response to a ballistic missile attack by Iran earlier this month. Israeli officials anonymously clarified that the attacks avoided nuclear and oil infrastructure, focusing instead on “precise strikes on military targets.”
The first Iranian missile attack was reportedly in retaliation against recent Israeli operations against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
Although the United States was aware of the Israeli attacks in advance, it has publicly distanced itself from involvement.
As Iran’s influence extends to militant allies like Hezbollah, Hamasand Houthi rebels in Yemen, the attack has raised fears about the possibility of a conflict across the region that could escalate into an all-out war involving Israel, the US and Iranian-backed forces.