Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, called on Sunday for a direct conflict with Israel following the IDF airstrike that killed Hezbollah military chief Haytham Ali Tabatabai earlier that day.
Larijani’s comment on X/Twitter admitted that Israel had achieved its desired aim in the strike and offered his condolences to Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem.
"They have achieved what they desired, but Netanyahu continues his adventures until everyone realizes that no path remains except to confront this fabricated entity," Larijani wrote. “I extend my deepest condolences to His Eminence the Secretary-General of Hezbollah and to the mujahideen in its ranks for this blessed martyrdom.”
Earlier, Israel conducted a strike on Tabatabai in Beirut. Hezbollah shortly thereafter confirmed his death, noting that four other Hezbollah terrorists were also killed in the action.
During the war between Israel and Hezbollah last year, Tabatabai had risen in rank as other senior leaders of the group were killed by Israeli military actions.
He was appointed to his latest role of chief of staff after the implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Larijani lauds Pakistan for standing with Tehran against Israel
On Monday, Larijani wrote on X that he was traveling to Pakistan, noting that the South Asian country aligned with Iran during the 12-day war in June of this year between Israel and the Islamic Republic.
“Iranians do not forget that during the 12-day war between the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran, the Pakistani nation stood by the Iranian nation,” the Supreme National Security Council secretary wrote. “Iran and Pakistan are two important and influential countries in sustainable security in the region, and we always pay attention to the brotherly relations between the countries of the region.”
Last month, Larijani traveled to Lebanon to encourage Hezbollah to rebuild. During the trip, he also sought to build unity in the region against Israel.