Iran Urges Avoidance of Direct Military Confrontation with the U.S.

The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, has called on commanders to avoid direct military confrontation with the United States following a terrorist attack in Kerman. He directed that retaliatory actions should be limited to operations against Israel and assaults on American bases through proxy groups. This was reported by the New York Times.

Khamenei had previously promised a harsh response and just punishment for those responsible for the Kerman attack. However, sources informed the newspaper that the Supreme Leader urged commanders to exercise strategic patience and to avoid any engagement with Washington that could lead to direct military clashes involving Tehran.

"He has instructed military personnel to keep retaliatory actions limited to covert operations against Israel or proxy group attacks on American bases located in Syria and Iraq," the publication notes.

According to sources, Khamenei considers the attacks in Iran and Lebanon to be part of an Israeli campaign.

It is worth mentioning that explosions occurred in Iran yesterday, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Several blasts were reported at a cemetery in Kerman, where a ceremony was underway to commemorate Qasem Soleimani, who was killed on January 3, 2020, in a U.S. Air Force missile strike near Baghdad International Airport.

The Tasnim news agency reported that two packages containing remote-controlled bombs were found near the entrance to the cemetery.

Authorities have classified the explosions that occurred in Kerman as a terrorist attack.