Key Points and Summary – In a new interview, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran is “fully prepared” for another war and ready to “strike deep inside Israel again.”
-He revealed details of a recent Israeli assassination attempt on him, from which he escaped with an injury. Pezeshkian also confirmed Iran will continue its uranium enrichment program, defying Western pressure and making the return of “snapback” sanctions more likely.
-The defiant statements come amid reports that President Trump recently vetoed a separate Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, adding a complex new layer to the volatile situation.
Iran Says It’s “Ready” For War With Israel
Amid a flurry of media interviews by Iranian officials, the country’s president told Al Jazeera in an interview aired Wednesday that Tehran is preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict with Israel.
Masoud Pezeshkian said that he is not optimistic that the current ceasefire will last, and that the Iranian nuclear program will continue.
In one of the first interviews conducted with the Iranian president since the 12-day war ended last month, Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran is actively reinforcing its air defenses and ramping up military preparedness in anticipation of further escalation.
“We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again,” Pezeshkian said.
“That is why we have prepared ourselves for any possible scenario and any potential response. Israel has harmed us, and we have also harmed it. It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses,” he continued.
Iran Isn’t Happy with Israel
Pezeshkian also slammed Israeli and U.S. efforts to “eliminate” Iran’s top officials, echoing reports that the United States had blocked an Israeli effort to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. In June, two U.S. officials told Reuters that U.S. President Donald Trump had vetoed the plan.
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” one source told the outlet.
On Saturday, July 5, Pezeshkian told journalist Tucker Carlson that Israel “did try and acted accordingly but they failed,” revealing an attempt to kill him and other Iranian officials.
Pezeshkian was one of several high-ranking Iranian officials who gathered at an underground facility on June 16 for a meeting of the Supreme National Security Council – a meeting that was interrupted by six Israeli bombs or missiles that struck the site, located in Western Tehran. Pezeshkian escaped with a injured leg.
During his conversation with Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran will continue its uranium enrichment program, but insisted that the effort is not aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
“Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position,” he said, adding that Iran “believe[s] in diplomacy” and that Tehran “will not accept threats and dictates.”
The comments reinforce the growing likelihood that Iran will face the reimposition of pre-2015 sanctions, as it shows no indication of complying with recent demands from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European officials to agree to a new nuclear deal or face activation of the “snapback” mechanism.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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Jim
July 24, 2025 at 10:48 am
All sides have made threats to attack the other.
Israeli officials have stated the possible need to attack Iran again. As noted, Iranian officials have stated they will respond to any attack by Israel.
And, Trump as suggested he could order another attack if necessary depending on what happens.
Only the United States has the power & influence to engage diplomatically to avoid a regional Middle East War.
Will Trump engage in good faith negotiations or go along with another Netanyahu sucker punch gambit during negotiations? Very akin to a mafia-style action.
Each side has demonstrated deterrence in the recent 12 Day War.
Let’s move forward from that assessment towards a peace settlement where each side recognizes the other side’s legitimate security concerns.