Iran's supreme leader threatens Israel and the United States
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has threatened immediate retaliation against any future attacks on Iran, declaring that American and Israeli assets will be within range of Iranian forces. Meanwhile, reports indicate that an American delegation may join negotiations with Iran in Qatar. Sources involved in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran told the Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that progress has been made in negotiations taking place in Qatar, with an American delegation expected to join discussions with Iranian representatives in Doha.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never says that the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February. It also leaves out that, by this outlet's own earlier report, Israel and the US have killed dozens of senior Iranian officials. Khamenei's warning answers those attacks, but a reader of this article sees only Iran's threat and not who started the fighting.
How we know
- Anadolu Agency (English) reported“The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate”Qatari mediators return to Tehran in renewed push for US-Iran deal (opens in a new tab)
- Arutz Sheva / Israel National News wrote earlier“Israel and the United States have killed dozens of senior Iranian officials”Report: Iran threatens to target senior American officials (opens in a new tab)
According to the sources, preliminary understandings have reportedly been reached regarding Iran's nuclear program, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and economic incentives for Tehran. China and Russia are also expected to serve as guarantors of any agreement eventually reached. The United States has not officially confirmed the report. At the same time, Khamenei issued a direct warning to Israel and the United States in a post on X following a meeting with senior Iranian military commanders.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article reports unnamed sources claiming preliminary understandings, including on the nuclear programme. It leaves out Reuters' report a day earlier that a senior Iranian official dismissed Qatar's draft as unacceptable and said Tehran would keep its nuclear position. It also leaves out that Tehran demands the US first end its port blockade and lift oil sanctions. Without this, a reader sees only progress.
How we know
- Reuters reported“a senior Iranian official dismissed the proposals as unacceptable and said Tehran would maintain its nuclear position”Qatari mediators return to Tehran to push for US-Iran deal, official says (opens in a new tab)
"Every level or type of threat must be met with an immediate and effective response, without geographical restrictions," Khamenei wrote. He added that if Iran's enemies resume military attacks or acts of terrorism against the Islamic Republic, "it will be the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people who determine when and under what conditions these attacks will end." Khamenei also called for a comprehensive revision of Iran's military target bank, saying it must ensure that all American and Israeli assets, both physical and non-physical, fall within the reach of Iranian armed forces.
Read the original article on israelnationalnews.com (opens in a new tab)