Whispers of Delay in the Islamic Republic's 'Response to Israel'; Our Response is Unrelated to the Gaza Ceasefire, but Our Priority is the Ceasefire

While Israel has announced that it is fully prepared to counter any attacks from the Islamic Republic and its proxies, the Islamic Republic's representative at the United Nations stated, "Our priority is to establish a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, and we are careful that our response to Israel does not harm a potential ceasefire." This representative also added, "Any agreement accepted by Hamas, we will recognize as well, although Israel has violated the security and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic with its recent actions, our response is a matter that has no connection to the Gaza ceasefire." Some experts say these statements indicate that Tehran, after indirect pressure from Washington, may be reconsidering the timing or extent of the 'harsh punishment' that the Supreme Leader promised to impose on Israel. The United States has emphasized in recent days that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza has reached its final stages and that the Islamic Republic and Israel should not damage this agreement by escalating tensions. The Presidents of the United States and Egypt, along with the Emir of Qatar, called for the finalization of the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza on August 9, stating, "Now a properly framed agreement is on the table, and only the details of its implementation need to be finalized. No more time should be wasted, and no excuses from any party for further delays are acceptable." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said on Wednesday, "Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of hostages have reached their final stage, and there is now consensus to avoid any escalation of conflict in the Middle East." Late on Thursday, Israel announced that it would send a delegation for ceasefire negotiations next week to Doha or Cairo. Hamas has not yet announced its participation, but John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said on Friday that Qatar is working to ensure the presence of a representative from this militant group in the negotiations. The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 of last year when this Islamist group, supported by the Islamic Republic, attacked Israeli border areas, killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages to Gaza. About 100 of the hostages were exchanged during a temporary ceasefire at the end of last fall for Palestinian prisoners. Israel believes that currently, fewer than 120 hostages are held by Hamas, and it is unclear how many of them are still alive. The Persian-speaking spokesman for the Israeli army next to the wreckage of a destroyed missile. The IRGC: "The promise of a true response was nothing but a lie." The Foreign Ministry to Voice of America: The Islamic Republic's attack on Israel has an economic cost for Iran. Five legal cases have been filed against figures accused of taking a stance against the Islamic Republic's missile attacks on Israel. A Wall Street Journal report: The Islamic Republic has enough fuel to build a nuclear weapon, but lacks the will to do so. A review of various scenarios regarding a potential confrontation between the Islamic Republic and Israel. The killing of a senior Hamas member in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon.