Red Sea Crisis: Irans foreign ministry has defended the recent strikes conducted by the Revolutionary Guards in Iraq and Syria, characterizing them as precise and targeted operations aimed at deterring security threats, according to CNN.Specific Targets in Syria and IraqIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that the strikes targeted a terrorist headquarters in Idlib, Syria, and a Mossad-affiliated centre in Erbil, Iraq. Kanaani highlighted the precision of the operation, noting the use of ballistic missiles to identify and strike the headquarters of criminals.Defence of Sovereignty and SecurityKanaani asserted that the strikes were conducted in defence of (Iranian) sovereignty and security and were a countermeasure against terrorism. Iran maintains its commitment to peace, stability, and security in the region, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries while exercising its legitimate and legal right to deter national security threats.Unprecedented Attack in Western SyriaThe recent attack on Idlib represents the first time Iran has struck western Syria, marking one of the longest-range ballistic missile attacks in the countrys history. The situation has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza into a full-scale war in the Middle East, with potentially severe humanitarian, political, and economic consequences.A Complex Regional LandscapeWhile Iran has targeted Syria before, with a similar strike in 2017 against ISIS targets, the recent events underscore the increasing volatility in the region. IRGC-affiliated media, Tasnim News, reported that the strikes in Idlib targeted the headquarters of the Turkistan Islamic Party, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the region.Irans recent military actions have added another layer of complexity to the already tense situation in the Middle East, with potential repercussions on regional stability and international relations.
