Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel - Gaza War.
Khamenei Urges Restraint Amid Israeli Strikes, Avoiding Escalation While Asserting Iran's Defensive Stance
Iran Responds Cautiously to Israeli Strikes Amid Regional Turmoil
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for a balanced response to recent Israeli strikes, cautioning against both “exaggeration and downplay” of the attacks. The strikes, which targeted military sites across Iran, reportedly killed four Iranian soldiers, with Iran’s leadership pledging an “appropriate response” while stressing that they are not seeking war.
The airstrikes were part of a larger conflict between the two nations, triggered by what Israel claims were Iranian missile attacks earlier in October. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel had significantly weakened Iran’s air defense and missile capabilities, stating, “whoever hurts us, we hurt them.” However, Iran’s official media downplayed the extent of the damage, emphasizing that most missiles were intercepted and any impacts were minimal.
In his first comments on the matter, Khamenei adopted a noticeably moderate tone, a departure from past rhetoric threatening severe retaliation. While traditionally decisive in his approach to such matters, Khamenei delegated response responsibilities to other government authorities, marking a rare stance for the supreme leader.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed Khamenei’s sentiment, asserting that Iran would “defend the rights of our nation” but sought no further escalation. In response to international appeals, including from the U.S., Israeli strikes avoided major infrastructure such as oil and nuclear sites.
The attack adds further strain to a region already embroiled in conflict. Fighting between Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah forces in Lebanon intensified, with Lebanese officials reporting casualties from Israeli airstrikes in Sidon and southern Lebanon. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continue against Hamas, leading to further loss of life in Palestinian communities.
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for a two-day ceasefire, proposing a hostage exchange and paving the way for peace talks, though Hamas has maintained its position, demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an agreement on prisoner exchange.
This conflict continues to draw international concern, with Western nations urging all parties to avoid escalation.
