TEHRAN: Iran’s Defense Minister, Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani, has called for Israelis to vacate the region, escalating the country’s rhetoric against the existence of Israel. The remark marks a departure from previous condemnations targeting “Zionists.”
This declaration follows Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s assertion that, post-war, non-Hamas Palestinians would govern Gaza as long as there was no threat to Israel. Ashtiani’s call for Israelis to leave the region indicates a further hardening of Iran’s stance on Israel and a direct challenge to the coexistence of Israelis in the area.
While Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials have praised Hamas for the response to Israel, they continue to deny direct involvement in the attack.
