Reports indicate that Iran is tactically retreating from a retaliatory strike against Israel following military pressure from the United States. This cautious retreat seems to be an effort to avoid damaging Iran’s reputation as an Islamic Republic while also managing both domestic and international reactions more effectively.
Tarz Press: Recent statements from Iranian officials suggest a shift toward softer language regarding regional developments. Words like "attack" have been replaced with "right" in official statements. Whereas Iranian officials once spoke openly of "attacking Israel," they now refer to Iran’s "right to attack," signaling a tactical retreat while preserving the claim to the right of retaliation.
In the most recent instance, on Friday, August 23, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s new foreign minister, emphasized Iran’s right to respond to Israel during a conversation with his British and French counterparts. This mirrors the language used by other Iranian officials in recent days. About a week ago, Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s acting foreign minister, also asserted that "Iran reserves the legitimate right to respond to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh." This shift in tone contrasts sharply with the aggressive rhetoric that followed Haniyeh's assassination on July 31, 2024, in Tehran, when Iranian officials spoke of "severe punishment" and "harsh revenge." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, had promised a "harsh punishment" for Israel, declaring, "In this bitter and severe incident that occurred within the territory of the Islamic Republic, seeking justice for his blood is our duty."
This tactical retreat comes as the United States has repeatedly conveyed warning messages to Tehran through intermediaries, making it clear that any attack on Israel would come with significant costs. American media recently reported that should Iran strike Israel, the response would be so devastating that Iran's government and economy would collapse.
Furthermore, the Pentagon has announced the deployment of additional naval and air assets to the Middle East to bolster Israel’s defense against potential Iranian and proxy attacks. The Pentagon stated that U.S. missile defense forces are on high alert and reiterated that America’s commitment to defending Israel is "ironclad."
Iran appears to recognize that it cannot confront the U.S. militarily. As the saying goes, it seems Tehran is now facing a burden too heavy to carry.
