Hardliners aligned with the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader have intensified their stance against Israel, calling for renewed attacks in retaliation for Israel’s October 26 strikes on Iranian military targets.
Vatan-e Emrooz, known for its hardline positions against the United States and Israel, emphasized that hostilities with Israel neither began on October 7, 2023, nor ended on October 26, 2024, when Israel launched air strikes against Iran. The paper asserted that “Iran will pull the trigger,” meaning a possible retaliation against Israel.
Ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, an adviser to Khamenei on Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that “the enemy should be slapped in the face,” according to the government-owned Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).
Jalili, who ran against President Masoud Pezeshkian in the June presidential election, added that Iran cannot permit Israel to act with impunity. Quoting verses from the Quran to support his stance, Jalili further claimed that the ideology of the Islamic Revolution has upended Israel’s calculations.
Meanwhile, the Kayhan, a hardline newspaper linked to Khamenei's office, wrote that a cease-fire with Israel is impossible.
As it often does, the ultra-hardline Kayhan linked regional issues to US interests, writing that US Presidents Biden and Trump both suggested Iran must choose between dismantling "resistance groups"—its regional proxies—or entering a war, assuming that either path would pressure Iran into compromising on its nuclear program and regional ambitions. However, it appears Tehran has opted to confront Israel directly, showing neither fear of war nor inclination toward negotiations, Kayhan said, praising the uncompromising stance.
Also ruling out a cease-fire in the wars in Lebanon and Gaza, the Kayhan wrote that no one can reach a sustainable settlement at the UN or in meetings in Paris, Doha or Cairo. The daily argued that the United States and France that give bunker-buster bombs, missiles and air defense systems to Israel and the regional countries that keep Israel's lifelines open lack the honesty and qualification to broker cease-fire negotiations.
The daily added that the "assassination" of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders eliminated all the chances for a cease-fire.
The commentary added that while Iran seeks peace and stability in the region, it remains doubtful about the prospects for a cease-fire, grounding its diplomatic efforts in a thorough understanding of ongoing developments. Kayhan further noted that President Biden’s congratulations to Israel following Sinwar’s “martyrdom” and the outcomes of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council meeting indicated that calls for a cease-fire were premature and ill-timed.
The daily, funded by Khamenei’s office, emphasized that Iran supports any decision made by "the resistance" and welcomes regional and international efforts backing the “legitimate defense” of the people in Gaza and Lebanon.
Kayhan also quoted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stating that "Iran has identified its targets in Israel" and emphasizing that "US forces operating the THAAD air defense system in Israel are legitimate targets for Iranian forces." Araghchi further warned that "The United States will bear responsibility for any possible Israeli attack on Iran."
The newspaper interpreted Araghchi’s remarks to mean that “Israel, along with US bases and forces in the region, will no longer be safe,” suggesting that the Islamic Republic now views US interests and forces in Iraq, Syria, and possibly Bahrain as legitimate targets.
