An Iranian senior security official has warned that Iran may launch an attack on Israel if ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas fail, according to a recent report. Speaking to Reuters, the official stated that Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, would consider a direct assault on Israel if they perceive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is stalling the talks with the Palestinian group.
According to three senior Iranian officials, Iran’s decision to refrain from a direct strike against Israel hinges on the successful negotiation of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, particularly in light of the recent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July. However, Reuters notes that the sources did not specify how long Iran would allow the negotiations to continue before taking action.
On Sunday, Hamas announced it would not engage in new ceasefire discussions this week unless mediators present a plan based on previous negotiations. Talks are expected to resume on Thursday.
In response to these developments, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby indicated that the U.S. shares Israeli concerns about potential actions from Iran and its proxies as soon as this week.
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that while the U.S. does not speculate on Iranian actions, the focus remains on diplomatic efforts to prevent further retaliation and instability. Patel stressed that all parties should understand that further attacks would only lead to increased conflict and insecurity.
Additionally, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that Tehran views retaliation against Israel as a justified response to the killing of Haniyeh. According to a report from the official IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian described punitive action against aggressors as a right of nations and a necessary measure to halt crimes and aggression. The two leaders also discussed efforts to restore regional peace and stability and improve bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Starmer expressed deep concern about the escalating situation and urged all parties to de-escalate. During their conversation, he appealed to Iran not to attack Israel, emphasizing that war is not in anyone’s interest.