Khamenei says Israel war meant to ‘overthrow system’ in Iran

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Israel’s attacks during last month’s 12-day war were intended to weaken the Islamic republic’s system and spark unrest to topple it.

“The calculation and plan of the aggressors was to weaken the system by targeting certain figures and sensitive centres in Iran,” said Khamenei in a statement published on his website. He said the move was meant to stir “unrest and bring people into the streets to overthrow the system”.

He said the move was meant to stir “unrest and bring people into the streets to overthrow the system”, as listed the United States as an accomplices of Israel.

Meanwhile, Khamenei also made it clear that “Iran will never enter any arena – diplomatic or military – as the weaker side.

Read more: Khamenei says Iran will ‘never surrender’ to US

The comments he made were addressed the Western leaders “who mistakenly believe the recent aggression has given them the opportunity to diplomatically pressure Iran”.

“We possess all the necessary tools such as reason and military power; therefore, whether on the diplomatic field or the battlefield, whenever we engage, by God’s grace, we will enter with full hands,” he said.

MILITARY COMMANDERS, SCIENTISTS TARGETED

Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran on June 13, killing top military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iranian authorities said more than 1,000 people were killed in Iran.

The attacks set off a 12-day war in Iran responded with drone and missile fire, killing 28 people in Israel, according to Israeli authorities.

On June 22, Israel’s ally the United States launched unprecedented strikes of its own on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.

Israel’s attacks took place two days before Iran and the United States were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of nuclear talks which had begun on April 12.

The talks have not since resumed.

Read more: Trump’s new war on Iran to strengthen Khamenei: Medvedev

Tehran has reiterated that it remains open to diplomacy provided that Washington offers guarantees it will not resort to military action against the Islamic republic.

On Wednesday, Iran’s parliament ruled out negotiations without meeting certain “preconditions”, without specifying any of them.

‘EXERCISE ‘CARE AND PRECISION’

In his statement, Khamenei said Iranian diplomacy and the military should excercise “care and precision” in the way ahead, without elaborating.

“The great achievement of the people during the 12-day war was their determination, willpower, and national self-confidence, because the very essence of having the spirit and readiness to confront a power like the United States and its chained dog, the Zionist regime, is extremely valuable,” he said.

At the same time, Khamenei said “Israel’s desperate appeal to the United States for a ceasefire” was a clear evidence of Iran’s strong and decisive response to the Zionist regime.

“If the Zionist regime had not bowed down and clung to the ground, and if it were capable of defending itself, it would not have turned to America like that. But it understood that it could not stand against the Islamic Republic.”