Raisi’s speech shows Iran’s threats are the same, but ‘different today’ -analysis

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi threatened Israel in a speech commemorating Army Day, an annual event in Iran. The parade, which took place Tuesday, included displaying senior commanders of the armed forces on a stage near the shrine dedicated to the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The event included combat aircraft and army ground forces units, in an annual opportunity for Iran to show off its armed forces.

Iran seeks to display its power

Raisi’s threats against Israel indicated that, while Iran maintains its determination to destroy the Jewish state, its boasting about fighting against it is shifting a bit, as are its interests: displaying its regional power. Iran recently reconciled with Saudi Arabia, it feels confident of its success in Yemen, and its Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian recently held an important meeting with his counterpart in Oman.

Part of the Iranian plan involves moving resources from Yemen, where it backed the Houthis, to back pro-Iran elements in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Towards that end, it encouraged talks between Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Baghdad, as well as encouraging Hamas to connect with units in Lebanon during a recent flare-up.

A month ago, Iran’s security chief Ali Shamkhani paid important trips to Beijing and Iraq, among other countries, showing that in general, Iran feels confident in its diplomatic achievements. This was clear from statements by Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday. It also reportedly invited Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, for a visit. The move comes amid a report by The Jerusalem Post that the window for an Israel-Saudi deal may close in 2024, according to US Sen. Lindsey Graham. READ MORE