Sources Reveal to Asharq Al-Awsat Details of Iranian Message Sent to Israel

An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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Sources Reveal to Asharq Al-Awsat Details of Iranian Message Sent to Israel

An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Iran has sent a message to Israel through European channels about its possible response to any attack that comes from Israel, diplomatic sources said Friday.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iranian message sent indirectly to Israel says that Iran would “shrug off a limited Israeli strike.”

Yet Tehran warned that “it would have no choice but to cross the red line” if its oil or nuclear facilities come under attack.

The Middle East remains on high alert for further escalation, awaiting Israel's response to an Iranian missile barrage on Oct. 1. Indications that the response is near rose this week after reports said Tel Aviv was able to reduce its differences with the US administration.

Israeli reports say the response would come during Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s visit to the US on Tuesday.

The Iranian message was sent as Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Turkmenistan for an international meeting.

“Iran does not want war,” he said, but warned that Tehran “would respond if it came under attack.”

He also urged Israel to end its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.



Iran is Giving Talks with US a 'Genuine Chance', Foreign Ministry Says

A 3D-printed miniature model of US President-elect Donald Trump and the US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
A 3D-printed miniature model of US President-elect Donald Trump and the US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
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Iran is Giving Talks with US a 'Genuine Chance', Foreign Ministry Says

A 3D-printed miniature model of US President-elect Donald Trump and the US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
A 3D-printed miniature model of US President-elect Donald Trump and the US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo

Iran is giving talks with its arch foe the United States this weekend "a genuine chance", the Iranian foreign ministry's spokesperson posted on X on Friday.

US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement on Monday that Washington and Tehran were poised to begin direct talks in Oman on Saturday over Iran's nuclear program, warning that Iran would be in "great danger" if the talks were unsuccessful.

The announcement caused some confusion because Iran had said the talks would be indirect with the Omanis acting as mediators.

Iran, previously stating it wouldn't be bullied into negotiations, said that the US should value this decision despite "their prevailing confrontational hoopla."

"We intend to assess the other side’s intent and resolve this Saturday," Esmaeil Baghaei added.

Iran's state media said the talks would be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, with the intermediation of Oman's foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi.