Why it matters:
The statement signals that if the Israeli regime miscalculates and attacks Iran, it will be a trigger for a much wider conflict—one that could directly involve U.S. assets and regional governments.
What he’s saying:
Qalibaf dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “desperate war criminal” trying to avoid political collapse by inflaming tensions.
He said Netanyahu is shifting his flight routes out of fear of arrest, saying his brutal war tactics have exposed the regime's true face to the world, especially young Americans and Europeans.
Iran considers Netanyahu’s latest threats as hollow bluster aimed at disrupting indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.
“But if even a fraction of these threats turns real,” Qalibaf warned, “the Zionist regime wouldn’t dare act without U.S. approval—and any miscalculation will come at a cost.”
“Any aggression against Iran will set the region ablaze and put all U.S. bases in the region in Iran’s line of fire.”
Qalibaf said Israel has achieved none of its stated goals in Gaza and now faces unprecedented insecurity.
Iran rejects the “good cop, bad cop” tactic between the U.S. and Israel.
“Our hands are fully untied when it comes to scaling up offensive power,” he said, adding that Iran possesses the necessary knowledge and willpower—and adversaries are well aware of it.
Go deeper:
Third Round of Iran-U.S. Indirect Talks Opens in Muscat
Mojtaba Darabi
