The Islamic Republic has backed off requests from their Hezbollah proxies to attack Israel in response to last summer’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, three sources informed Axios on Tuesday.
Two Israeli officials told the news provider that authorities in the Iran regime believe “the timing isn’t right” for their involvement because the theocracy’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
A Western diplomat confirmed the revelation, stating that Washington’s intelligence services have determined Hezbollah’s leadership reached out to their Tehran-based supporters for assistance in recent days.
During a press conference at the U.N. on Monday, Pezeshkian told reporters that he believed Jerusalem was trying to provoke a broader conflict in the region and was setting “traps” he wanted his country to steer clear of.
On April 13, Tehran launched over 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state in retaliation for an airstrike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of two generals serving in the regime. The incursion was largely defeated by the coordinated efforts of Israel, France, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The solicitation of assistance comes as Israel’s military initiated a massive offensive against Hezbollah on Monday, reportedly targeting more than 1,600 munitions facilities and numerous commanders of the militia in various locations throughout Lebanon.
On Sunday, the Pentagon announced U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had talked with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant about the potential involvement of the Islamic Republic in the region's conflicts.
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