BAGHDAD: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed on Sunday that there would be “no red lines” for the country in defending its people and interests, ahead of Israel’s expected retaliation for Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel.
“While we have made great efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests,” the Iranian Foreign Minister wrote in a post on X.
Araghchi’s statement came ahead of Israel’s expected retaliation for Iran’s firing of around 200 missiles on October 1, which Tehran claimed was in response to the killing of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders and a general of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The missile barrage marks one of the most significant escalations in the conflict between Iran and Israel in recent years. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that Israel’s response will be “deadly, precise, and surprising,” as Israeli forces prepare for possible retaliatory strikes.
The Iranian Foreign Minister made these remarks while in Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi officials to discuss the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, two hotspots in the broader regional turmoil.
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Ali al-Moussawi, a political advisor to Iraq’s prime minister, told AFP that Araghchi’s visit was part of diplomatic efforts “to silence weapons and violence… and to establish security and stability in the region.”
Following his meetings in Iraq, Araghchi is expected to travel to Oman, according to the Iranian ISNA news agency. Oman has often served as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts.
Earlier in the week, the Iranian foreign minister was in Qatar, where he held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, discussing the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Qatar has been playing a mediating role in the conflicts, calling for ceasefires and promoting truce talks.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said that while Iran is not seeking war, the country is prepared for any outcome.
“We do not want war, but we are not afraid of it. We will be ready for any scenario,” he said.
Meanwhile, US officials have said that Israel has refined its targeting strategy in response to Iran’s recent missile attacks, now focusing primarily on military and energy infrastructure.
According to a report by NBC, there are no indications that Israel plans to target nuclear facilities or conduct assassinations in its forthcoming actions. The exact timing and nature of Israel’s response remain uncertain, as decisions have yet to be finalized.
