Iran Reaffirms It Is Not Interested in a Broader War Amid Israel Tensions

Iran has made it clear that it is not interested in a broader war, despite recent escalations following the assassinations of key regional figures, Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated on Wednesday that Tehran’s actions, including the firing of missiles at Israel, were purely defensive and not aimed at expanding the conflict.

“Iran has absolutely no interest in a broader war,” Mohajerani emphasized, underscoring that Israel bears responsibility for the heightened tensions. She pointed out that Iran acted in self-defense after Israel’s actions and only after being provoked by the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran in July—a strike widely believed to have been orchestrated by Israel.

Despite pressure from its citizens to retaliate swiftly, Iran initially chose restraint. “We withheld our response because our priority was peace in Gaza,” Mohajerani explained, adding that the recent missile strikes were a direct response to Israel’s actions but do not signal Iran’s desire to widen the conflict.

Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli locations, many of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems. A few, however, made landfall in Israel and the occupied West Bank, increasing concerns over further escalation. Still, the Iranian government reiterated that its actions were limited to protecting its sovereignty.

“We will never allow our soil or dignity to be compromised,” Mohajerani stressed, while once again highlighting that Iran’s overarching goal is de-escalation and not the pursuit of a larger war.

The situation remains tense, but Iran’s message is clear: it seeks to defend itself while avoiding a broader regional conflict, placing the onus on Israel for any further developments.