Islamic Republic Officials in the 'Ceasefire and War Trap'; Hassan Khomeini: Netanyahu Thinks We Are Foolish

Following the removal of Hassan Nasrallah and the Israeli army's attack on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, along with Benjamin Netanyahu's message to the Iranian people, officials of the Islamic Republic remain confused; disagreements among government officials about how to respond to current regional events have intensified, with accusations of falling into the 'ceasefire and war trap' being exchanged. Twenty-four hours after Netanyahu's 'clear and direct' message to the Iranian people, official representatives of the Islamic Republic, including the Leader, the President, his deputies, and cabinet ministers, have not reacted, with only Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic who holds no governmental position, stating that Netanyahu thinks we are 'foolish.' On the other hand, while Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the fourteenth government of the Islamic Republic, and his strategic deputy Javad Zarif have limited themselves to issuing a condolence message regarding Nasrallah's removal, the Leader of the Islamic Republic has not taken a position beyond posting a few messages on social media, and some government officials have criticized the government's stance on regional developments. Among them, Hamid Rasai, a politician from the conservative faction of the Islamic Republic and a member of the central council of the IRGC's Ammar Headquarters, on Tuesday, October 10, referred to some of Pezeshkian's positions regarding Israel's attack on Hezbollah, a group supported by the Islamic Republic in Lebanon, as 'the product of a simplistic view of the major issues of the country and international matters' and what he called the 'resistance front,' deeming it effective in 'realizing these costs.' According to the website Entekhab, Rasai told Pezeshkian that calling 'America a brother,' naming Israel a 'country,' and considering Hezbollah 'incapable' in confronting it, while stating 'we are ready to lay down our weapons' and 'thinking that Americans must first recognize us for obstacles to be removed,' and Zarif 'constantly repeating that whatever happens, we will not fall into the war trap with Israel,' all indicate falling into the war trap. Rasai stated that these matters 'lead them to conclude that the Islamic Republic is in a position of weakness and pushes them step by step further.' Previously, Foad Izadi, an expert with the Islamic Republic's state television, had said in a television program that the fact that 'Pezeshkian and Zarif' did not allow confrontation after the removal of Ismail Haniyeh and said that America sent a message seeking a ceasefire led to Nasrallah's removal. Meanwhile, major policies in the Islamic Republic are carried out under the command of its leader, Ali Khamenei, and Masoud Pezeshkian has repeatedly emphasized that he is 'dissolved in the leader' and coordinated with him. In this context, Amir Etemadi, a political activist opposing the Islamic Republic, wrote on X: 'The Islamic Republic and Khamenei know better than ordinary people that in any direct military battle with Israel, they are already losers. However, to mitigate the severity of the loss, they spend the people's money on hired mouthpieces and safety valves for propaganda on social media and in the media.' Additionally, some users on social media have stated that 'the weakness of the Islamic Republic is clearer than can be denied,' and although supporters of the government 'try to escape infamy,' the reality is that 'the one who is scared' and 'whose cowardice has become apparent to the whole world is Khamenei himself.' Mahmoud Nabavian, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, also claimed in a public session on Tuesday, October 10, that 'we are not seeking war,' threatening that 'if Israel wants to hit us,' they do not need 'nuclear weapons and bombs,' but 'it is in their interest not to come towards Iran.' On the other hand, on Tuesday, October 10, some domestic media outlets reported, citing a source close to the IRGC media, that the upcoming Friday prayers in Tehran will be held by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. This event last occurred after the removal of Qassem Soleimani in the winter of 1398. Several hours after the publication of this news, official government news agencies and Khamenei's website have not commented on it. While official representatives of the Islamic Republic have remained almost silent in response to regional developments, rhetoric and verbal clashes continue on social media. Some defenders of the Islamic Republic have said that the Israeli attacks are aerial, and if there were ground conflicts, they would go to Lebanon to defend Hezbollah. In response to these statements, others have reminded that the Israeli army's ground action has also begun and have advised government defenders to put aside rhetoric and go there. In this context, Farzin Karbasi, a journalist and Middle East analyst, told Voice of America that the Islamic Republic is currently 'stuck' and has turned to slogans instead of action.