The coordinator of the Revolutionary Guards calls for “non-war” methods to put pressure on Israel
The Revolutionary Guard’s general coordinator, Mohammad Reza Naghdi, said his forces “wish” to receive orders from Iranian leader Ali Khamenei to head to Gaza, but called for them to pursue “non-war” methods of putting pressure on Israel. According to Iranian government media, a representative of the Iranian Parliament said that the “Axis of Resistance” could target sea lanes and ships of Israel and its allies if the war expands.
Naghdi said at a conference organized by the Revolutionary Guards in Gaza that, “Although no troops have been sent to Palestine, this does not mean sitting at home idly.” He continued: “Until the order to go to Gaza is issued, we will help the mujahideen in Gaza in other ways.”
Naghdi added: “The Hamas saga has brought great lessons about how to overcome America and colonial countries.” He recommended that the parties at war with Israel carry out “fully complementary operations, because the Zionists and the Westerners do not recognize any borders.” He said: “The Zionists are receiving painful blows from the resistance, and they are digging their graves in every meter of Gaza land.” She added: “The Palestinian resistance has prepared for long-term war, anticipated a ground war and continues to maintain readiness.”
However, the government agency ISNA reported that General Naqdi presented “non-war” proposals to support the people of Gaza. He called for the activation of legal, judicial, medical, humanitarian and diplomatic mechanisms to support the people of Gaza.
Naghdi said: “(The Revolutionary Guard) asked Turkey and some countries in the region to close American and Israeli military and intelligence bases,” as he put it.
In the same context, the judiciary called for toughening the punishment for “Israeli and American spies” inside Iran. Naghdi praised the role of the diplomatic apparatus during the Gaza war. You said: “The measures of our diplomatic apparatus must continue until Israel is expelled from the Security Council.”
Abdullahian Responsibilities
In contrast to the Revolutionary Guards’ stance on the diplomatic apparatus, Abbas Mahmoud Zadeh Meshkini revealed a move by the Iranian parliament to summon Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian to an accountability session. As reported by the Jamaran website, affiliated with the Khomeini Foundation.
Iranian websites quoted Meshkini as saying that “inaction in the Gaza war” was among the reasons for this responsibility. The representative criticized the Foreign Minister’s actions, saying: “Until recently there was talk of wiping out Israel, but now the conversation has changed.”
Some news sites have highlighted the close ties between MP Meshkini and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He wrote: “The representative close to Ahmadinejad began to question the minister of Ebrahim Raisi’s government.”
Interviews in Geneva
This came as government media reported that Abdullahian was traveling to Geneva for discussions with United Nations officials, as well as to discuss “ways to send international aid to Gaza.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Abdullahian discussed the latest developments in Palestine and the Israeli attack on Gaza during a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
According to the Iranian statement, the call focused on the bombing of the Qatar Reconstruction Center in Gaza. The two ministers discussed diplomatic efforts and initiatives to stop the war in Gaza.
Abdullahian had held talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres when he traveled to New York to attend the General Assembly session on the Gaza war on October 26, where he stayed for days and conducted press interviews with Americans in the media, focusing on denying Iran’s role, direct involvement in the war, especially “giving orders to resistance groups”, as well as warning against expanding the scope of the war and presenting an Iranian account of the messages exchanged with the United States regarding the worsening situation in Gaza.
Abdullahian’s visit to Geneva comes about two weeks after the visit of his deputy for political affairs and chief Iranian negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, to the Swiss capital, where he discussed with the European coordinator for nuclear talks, Enrique Mora, the latest news regional and international developments, the situation in Gaza and the negotiations also included the lifting of sanctions, the Iranian official said on platform “X”.
In a meeting with @enriquemora_ In Geneva we exchanged views on important regional and international developments, in particular on the ongoing dramatic humanitarian situation #Gaza The state of work on negotiations for the lifting of sanctions was also discussed.
-Ali Bagheri Kani (@Bagheri_Kani) November 2, 2023
Bagheri Kani warned (Tuesday) against using foreign policy in domestic political games, in response to warnings against dragging Iran into the ongoing war in Gaza.
Bagheri Kani explained Iranian foreign policy developments, including the Gaza war, in an interview with members of the Foreign Ministry. He said: “Diplomacy is an art that must be used with all its energy to secure national interests in the external field,” adding that “deviation from this path and efforts to employ foreign policy in domestic political games undermine national interests, and this is part of the path to achieving the enemies’ objectives.”
Bagheri Kani said the Iranian government “activated the strategic policy of maximum cooperation with neighbors and countries in the region two years ago, in the context of a cohesive confrontation with Zionist attacks.”
Bagheri continued: “Islamic countries should not be satisfied with declaring political positions to stop crimes in Gaza,” and added: “The pride of Islamic countries must be demonstrated in supporting human rights and defending the people of Gaza by spreading the boycott of Israeli goods. and ban the export of oil and other basic goods.”
A member of the judiciary committee of the Iranian parliament, MP Hossein Ali Haji Delighani, told the website “Dede Pan” that his country “will punish importers of goods from Israel”.
Earlier this month, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei called for cutting off oil and trade with Israel. Iranian officials have repeatedly called on Israel to boycott trade, especially in energy.
According to Haji Deligani, “The Resistance Front is ready to close the sea routes.” He said: “So far, the Resistance Front forces have not suffered any losses, so they are ready, if the decision is made, to pull the trigger on their weapons directed against Israel and to close the sea routes.”
He added: “The resistance has the power to close passages to Israeli ships and their allies.” Regarding the possibilities of expanding the war, he said: “It is certain that (Hezbollah) and the Lebanese army will give a firm response that Israel will never forget and that will bring it closer to its downfall.”