AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): In an interview with the Financial Times, Kamal Kharrazi, the Head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, has issued a stern warning that Tehran will defend Hezbollah with "all means" if Israel launches an all-out offensive against the Lebanese resistance movement.
Kharrazi, who is an advisor to the Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated that such an Israeli attack would risk triggering a regional war in which Tehran and the "Axis of Resistance" would support Hezbollah.
He emphasized that Iran is "not interested" in a large-scale regional conflict, but made it clear that the country would have "no choice" but to back Hezbollah if the situation escalates.
"There would be a chance of expansion of the war to the whole region, in which all countries including Iran would become engaged," Kharrazi said. "In that situation, we would have no choice, but to support Hezbollah by all means."
The leader's advisor urged the United States to put pressure on Israel to prevent further escalation, warning that the "expansion of war is not in the interest of anyone — not Iran or the US."
Regarding Iran's foreign policy and the upcoming presidential election, Kharrazi stated that while there may be "some differences" between the candidates, the overall strategy is determined by Ayatollah Khamenei and will remain consistent.
Kharrazi also signaled Iran's willingness to hold indirect negotiations with the United States about the country's nuclear program under a new government, if it would lead to Washington rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
However, he warned that if the West triggers "snapback" provisions to reimpose UN sanctions lifted under the nuclear deal, Iran would have a "severe reaction," hinting at the possibility of further uranium enrichment.
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