In a recent statement, Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Division, has made startling claims about diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran's April 13 attack on Israel, according to Iran International. Hajizadeh asserts that Israel, through Turkish intermediaries, requested Iran to keep its retaliatory strike "light."
"The Americans wrote a letter, and the Zionist regime relayed a message through Turkey, urging us to keep the retaliatory strike restrained. They pleaded for a measured response," Hajizadeh stated on Thursday.
The IRGC commander further alleged that foreign ministers from France and other European nations contacted Iran's foreign ministry, initially expressing concerns but ultimately acknowledging the operation's legitimacy. Hajizadeh quoted their reaction: "Their primary contention afterward was that 'the operation was meant to be punitive; if this is mild, what would a full-scale military operation entail?'"
According to Hajizadeh, neighboring Arab countries also intervened, proposing a ceasefire in Gaza to dissuade Iran from attacking Israel. These diplomatic efforts reportedly occurred in the lead-up to what Iran termed "Operation True Promise," a massive air strike involving over 350 drones and missiles on April 13. The Israeli military claims to have intercepted 99% of the projectiles with assistance from a US-led coalition.
Iran's attack was in response to what it alleges was an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, resulting in the death of seven IRGC officers, including a high-ranking commander.
This is not the first time Hajizadeh has made such claims, but it marks the first mention of Turkey as an intermediary. Last week, he stated, "Following the Supreme Leader's address, the Zionists recognized Iran's resolute stance. Consequently, they appealed through neighboring countries, urging us to respond with restraint."
Hajizadeh also asserted that the aerial assault on Israel utilized only a fraction of Iran's military capabilities. "We had to use a great number of missiles and drones to get through Israel's Iron Dome; we used 20% of our military capability in the operation," he claimed last month.
In a further allegation, Hajizadeh suggested that Israel offered concessions in Gaza to preempt Iranian retaliation. "Israel conveyed messages through Egypt's foreign minister, indicating readiness to negotiate in the Gaza conflict to avoid Iranian reprisal," he claimed.
However, these claims, reported by Iran's state media, appear questionable given Israel's continued escalation of operations in Rafah, Hamas's southern stronghold. This ongoing offensive persists despite warnings from numerous countries, including the US and European nations. Israel maintains its primary objectives of eliminating Hamas and securing the release of the remaining 120 hostages held in Gaza.
As tensions in the region remain high, the veracity of these claims and their potential impact on future diplomatic relations remain subjects of intense scrutiny and debate. Recent reports indicate increased military readiness on Israel's part – the Israeli Air Force has been conducting extensive training exercises simulating long-range strikes on distant targets, potentially in preparation for action against Iran, amid concerns that Tehran is exploiting Israel's focus on Gaza and Lebanon to accelerate its nuclear program. This development, coupled with Israel's ongoing operations in Rafah and its objectives of eliminating Hamas and securing hostages, further underscores the volatile nature of the region's geopolitical landscape.
