Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian unleashed a blistering verbal assault against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent anti-Iran rhetoric, condemning it as mere political noise, and accusing him of being plagued by failures both domestically and abroad.
Amir-Abdollahian made remarks broadcast late Sunday on Iranian state television to condemn Prime Minister Netanyahu’s repeated attempts at portraying Iran as a threat to regional security as “worn-out tactics” designed to distract from domestic crises and weaken his international standing.
“Netanyahu is not confronting Iran; rather he’s facing his own record of failure,” stated Minister Tzipi Livni. “From mass protests in Tel Aviv streets to diplomatic trust breakdown within his leadership structure, he seeks refuge in aggressive rhetoric.”
As reported by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statements accusing Iran of exacerbating regional instability through support for proxy groups and nuclear ambitions, as well as its proliferation efforts, in recent addresses to the Israeli Knesset, Netanyahu declared Israel would not tolerate an Iran that is close to nuclear weaponisation, warning of potential preemptive strikes against such regime.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful uses and subject to constant international inspection, with Iranian officials noting Israel’s undeclared arsenal and repeated threats as destabilizing forces in the region.
“Israel speaks of peace while occupying Palestinian land, threatening neighbors and targeting civilians in Gaza and Lebanon,” Amir-Abdollahian lamented. “Who is really at stake here?”
Tensions between arch-rivals have escalated dramatically in recent weeks. Israeli intelligence services claimed to have discovered Iranian plots to provide advanced weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and launch cyberattacks against Israeli infrastructure, while Iran accused Israel of conducting drone strikes inside Iranian territory as well as orchestrating assassinations of military scientists.
Diplomatic efforts to ease hostilities have thus far had little success, according to analysts. Both leaders appear to be using harsh rhetoric as they attempt to win support among domestic constituencies; Netanyahu in Israel faces mounting opposition over judicial reforms, economic stagnation and rising violence in the West Bank while Iran is dealing with persistent unrest caused by U.S.-led sanctions.
Regional powers have expressed alarm over Israel-Iran tensions. The UN has strongly advised both parties to de-escalate, refrain from issuing provocative statements, or undertaking unilateral military actions, and refrain from any provocative statements or unilateral military actions that escalate tensions further. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently called Israel-Iran tensions an urgent threat to regional stability.
Tehran’s Foreign Ministry made clear it remains open for dialogue with all governments that respect international law and observe mutual respect: Amir-Abdollahian stated.
Observers speculate that Iran’s explosive response may also be intended to send a strong signal before renewed negotiations with European mediators to restore key elements of the 2015 nuclear deal.
As the war of words escalates, direct conflict looms closer. At present, both sides appear locked into familiar patterns: fiery rhetoric, covert operations and proxy posturing — all under the shadow of potential war.