Conflicting messages in Iran regarding retaliatory strike on Israel, as new president reportedly urges ayatollah to reconsider

A report from Iran International, which is linked to Iranian dissidents, alleges that newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian requested that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei refrain from attacking Israel, cautioning that such an attack could lead to severe repercussions for Iran.

According to the channel, the report from Iran International is based on anonymous sources who are familiar with the details of a recent meeting between Pezeshkian and Khamenei.

The sources allegedly reported Pezeshkian warned that a decision by Israel to launch a significant response could “cripple the Iranian economy and potentially lead to the country's collapse.” 

He also is said to have warned the regime that a war with Israel would harm Iran's ability to rebuild its economy and deepen the rift between the government and Iranian citizens, in addition to severely damaging Iran's international standing. 

Pezeshkian is seen by many as a member of Iran's more moderate and reformist camp, while Khamenei leads the extremist players in government. Pezeshkian ran on a campaign promising to restore Iran’s standing in the international arena. The supreme leader of Iran holds ultimate authority in all matters of state and the final decision regarding Iran’s response to Haniyeh's assassination will be his. 

The report from Iran International highlighted that Khamenei did not disclose his response to Pezeshkian’s concerns during the meeting and did not show any support or opposition to the remarks.

In an apparent contradiction to that report, Iran state media reported that Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call that, “Iran will never remain silent in the face of aggression against its interests and security.” 

Pezeshkian reportedly told Macron that Western countries should do more to pressure Israel. 

“If the United States and the Western countries are truly seeking to prevent war in the region, they must force this regime (Israel) to stop the genocide and attacks on Gaza and accept a ceasefire,” Pezeshkian said. 

During a ceremony in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Wednesday, Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iranian Army, said that Israel “cannot save themselves from annihilation.” 

“The Zionist regime will soon receive a strong and definite response, and there is no doubt about it,” Mousavi said, according to Iranian media. “It is clear that they themselves have realized the speed of their own destruction, and by doing so, they want to save themselves from the quagmire, but they definitely cannot save themselves from annihilation.” 

Mousavi also praised the appointment of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' Gaza leader, as head of the political office.

He described Sinwar's selection as a testament to the "strong determination of the brave and honorable movement for resistance and struggle."