Iran’s leadership has signaled an imminent response to Israel’s recent military strikes, with top officials and allies in the region issuing stern warnings. On November 22, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasized that military and government authorities are finalizing plans to address what Tehran views as “Israeli aggression.” The strikes followed Iran’s prior ballistic missile launch, which itself was retaliation for attacks that killed key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
IRGC Commander Hossein Salami vowed on November 22 that Iran’s response would accelerate what he described as Israel’s “collapse,” urging a broader Islamic economic boycott of Israel. This follows Khamenei’s fiery statement advocating a death sentence for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose leadership has been tied to the escalating Gaza conflict and regional instability.
Regional dynamics remain tense. Iran has reportedly called for a Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon while maintaining strategic alliances to sustain proxy operations. Tehran has also engaged in indirect talks with the U.S. via Iraq, signaling its dual focus on military and diplomatic fronts amidst the October 7 conflict’s regional fallout.
Iran’s heightened rhetoric and preparation for retaliation underline the volatile nature of its relationship with Israel, as both nations continue to vie for influence in the Middle East. This period of confrontation may carry significant implications for regional stability.
