FM Spox warns of Israeli ‘false flag’ operations to spread war across region
Araghchi: Iran only views US regional assets as legitimate targets
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, warned about Israeli “false flag” operations within regional countries to broaden the conflict ignited by Israel and the United States against Iran across the region.
“The Israeli regime’s project is to destabilize the region, and unfortunately, the United States has been drawn into this path,” Baghaei said during a press conference on Tuesday, according to IRNA.
He referenced recent reports of Qatar and Saudi Arabia apprehending individuals linked to Mossad allegedly involved in bomb plots, describing them as issues of serious concern.
Baghaei warned that Israel may resort to such actions to deflect public attention, demonize Iran, escalate the conflict, and sow discord within regional nations.
The US and Israeli aggression against Iran commenced on February 28 amid ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, initially targeting Iranian leadership. Iran responded with widespread missile and drone attacks against Israel and US bases in the region.
Meanwhile, accusations have been leveled against Iran about alleged strikes on civilian targets within regional countries, prompting reactions from those states.
Baghaei reiterated Iran’s previous assertion that any conflict involving Iran would extend to the region, but emphasized that Iranian armed forces target US military sites only.
However, he acknowledged that the use of certain weaponry might inadvertently impact locations not initially targeted by Iran.
He urging all parties to avoid hasty judgments and consider the possibility of “false flag” operations by hostile nations.
“I urge our Arab friends in neighboring countries to act with caution and patience. Simultaneous acts of bombings, explosions, and sabotage in neighboring countries, targeting civilians or even foreign embassies, are scenarios that must be carefully scrutinized,” he added.
Stop aggression to stop war
Baghaei called on the international community to urge the UN Security Council to fulfill its duties and restore security and stability to the region by compelling aggressors to cease their actions. “The way to stop this war is to stop the aggression.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said in a televised interview on Monday night that Iran does not seek to regionalize the conflict, but the expansion is due to the widespread presence of US bases across the region.
“We do not have direct access to their territory, but we have access to their bases in the region, and from our perspective, these bases are legitimate targets, as they are used to attack us and belong to a country that is aggressing against us.”
He affirmed Iran’s policy of good neighborliness and emphasized that the conflict is not a regional one.
Araghchi urged regional countries to avoid emotional stances and pressure the US, instead of Iran, to halt the “unjust and illegal” war.
Ali Bagheri, Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, also stressed in a televised interview that Iran did not regionalize this war, but “our enemy is using capabilities [in those countries] against us, and we are targeting them.”
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, addressing reporters before the UN Security Council on Monday, affirmed that Iran solely targets military objectives of hostile forces and denied any intention to target civilians or interests of neighboring countries.
“Iran does not seek war or escalation of tensions, but will not relinquish its sovereignty either.”
He concluded that Iran will resolutely defend itself as long as the aggression continues.