The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced that over the weekend, the Hamas terrorist organization fired a number of projectiles from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory.
In an activity based on IDF intelligence, the IAF struck over 100 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, and eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists throughout the weekend.
In addition, the IDF struck a number of launch sites, from which some of the projectiles fired toward Israeli territory over the weekend were identified.
Prior to the strikes, numerous measures were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence.
The IDF and ISA will continue to operate against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in defense of the citizens of Israel.
“We maintain contact with other Middle Eastern countries and continue to consult with our allies such as China,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said.
By MATHILDA HELLERUpdated: JANUARY 5, 2025 07:43Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a news conference in Baghdad, Iraq December 6, 2024.(photo credit: REUTERS/Mustafa Khasaf)
Another Israeli attack on Iran will lead to a “widespread war,” Iranian foreign minister Abbas Aragchi told the host of China’s state broadcaster CCTV, He Yanke, in an interview published on Saturday.
The comments came during Araghchi’s first visit to China since taking office, between December 27-8, the same day as his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Iran, Araghchi added, is fully prepared for another Israeli attack.
Despite this, he claimed Iran would continue to achieve things through “diplomacy,” saying, “We maintain contact with other Middle Eastern countries and continue to consult with our allies such as China.”
He added that such diplomatic ties will prevent future attacks from happening.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi looks on before a meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Tehran, Iran, August 26, 2024. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
The two men extensively discussed the ties between their two countries, drawing on recent examples of high-level interactions, such as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s October 2024 visit to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia.
Pezeshkian referred to China as Iran’s most important partner at the time.
Developments in Syria
Speaking on recent developments in the Middle East, Araghchi said that the rebellion in Syria happened “so quickly” and “was not expected.”
He emphasized his desire for Syria not to become “a gathering place and shelter for terrorists, and Syria should not become a threat to its neighbors and regional countries.”
“The situation in Syria should be decided by the Syrian people themselves,” he continued.
Nerveless, he said the future of Iran-Syria relations depends on how the new government – led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani – chooses to proceed.
“How we treat the new Syrian leadership depends on how it acts. Iran is completely well-intentioned. Iran hopes that Syria will stabilize. We hope to help Syria stabilize and ensure the safety of all ethnic groups in Syria, including Shiites, Sunnis, Arabs, and Kurds.”
Hezbollah in Lebanon
Araghchi also heaped praise on the “resolute resistance” of Hezbollah and Lebanon, saying he had no doubt the terror organization would come back stronger despite the “great blow” it suffered due to Israeli retaliation.
“Israel was forced to accept a ceasefire because of Hezbollah’s resolute resistance to Israel’s ground offensive in southern Lebanon and because Hezbollah caused casualties in the Israeli army,” he said.
“The resistance movement still has a bright future, and Hezbollah is rebuilding itself in a careful manner.”
The two also addressed the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the containing hostage-ceasefire talks.
Israel-Hamas War
Araghchi framed the talks as a loss for Israel, saying that the Jewish state, which wished to eliminate Hamas, was forced to sit down and negotiate against its will.
Nevertheless, he said that Iran would support any ceasefire agreement so long as it was accepted by Palestine and Hamas themselves.
“Hamas and the Palestinians decide whether to accept the ceasefire. As long as they are satisfied with the ceasefire, we support it.”
Araghchi also discussed a potential Iran nuclear deal, which has become a prominent discussion in US foreign policy, especially amid the incoming second term of President Donald Trump.
Araghchi said it was important to resume negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue but said it was “very regrettable that the United States decided to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear agreement without any reason.”
“The US withdrawal from the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue was a strategic mistake on the part of the United States,” he stressed.
The Iranian FM ended his interview with a wish for “no more war” in 2025.
“I hope that in 2025, there will be a world without war, atrocities, and aggression, a world based on fairness, justice, and the rule of law, a world that can face up to those who trample on the law and those who are against humanity. To sum it up in one sentence, I hope that the world in 2025 will be a reasonable world.”
Iranian media depicting ballistic missile launches in an unprecedented attack against Israel. (Twitter Screenshot)
After ongoing Iranian aggression, official says he hopes that “Israel will refrain from taking reckless action.”
By World Israel News Staff
A senior Iranian official warned that an additional attack by Israel on its territory could trigger a “large-scale war,” during an interview with a Chinese state-controlled news agency.
“We are fully prepared for the possibility of further Israeli attacks,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CCTV. “I hope Israel will refrain from taking such reckless action, as it could lead to a large-scale war.”
He added that Iran “believes that reason will ultimately prevail and prevent actions that could have serious consequences.”
Araghchi made the remarks in late December, while on a diplomatic visit to China, but the interview was only published on Saturday.
During the visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his opposition to international sanctions against Iran.
China, a close ally of Iran, is a critical trading partner for the country.
In 2024, 91% of Iran’s total exports of its sanctioned crude oil, condensates, and fuel oil went to China.
Araghchi’s comments came after tensions between Israel and Iran reached historic highs in 2024.
In April, following the assassination of a senior IRGC commander by the IDF, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on the Jewish State.
Tehran launched some 300 explosive drones and ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted by an American-led coalition outside of Israeli airspace.
A seven-year-old Bedouin-Israeli girl was severely wounded by falling shrapnel. There were no other casualties in the attack, and Israel did not respond.
However, in October, Iran launched another massive missile barrage, sending virtually all of Israel’s residents into bomb shelters.
That attack saw a Palestinian civilian in Jericho killed by falling shrapnel.
Weeks later, Israel destroyed Iran’s air defense systems and UAV and missile production facilities.
Four Iranian soldiers and a security guard were killed in the Israeli bombardment.
