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Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Senior Military Adviser Yahya Rahim Safavi warned Monday that a new war between Iran and Israel could break out at any moment, contradicting earlier assessments by Iran's foreign minister that conflict was not imminent.
"We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. There is no protocol between us and Israel and the U.S. There is no cease-fire. A new war with Israel could break out at any moment. We must be strong and prepared," Safavi told university students, according to Tabnak News Agency.
The warning comes as Iranian officials present diverging views on the likelihood of renewed conflict. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television on Aug. 14 that he did not expect Israel to launch an attack in the near future.
"As an international relations expert, I am not of the opinion that war will happen in the near future," Araghchi said, adding, "The armed forces must always be prepared, and the government must be fully prepared for any possible situation. Being prepared is the most effective factor in preventing war."
Araghchi accused Israel of trying to create the perception of imminent war to negatively influence Iranian public opinion.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir threatened Sunday that Israel is prepared to launch new attacks against Iran if necessary, speaking at a military ceremony at Glilot Base in Tel Aviv, according to the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper.
"We are ready to attack again when necessary," Zamir said, describing the June 12-day Israel-Iran conflict as "a preemptive war aimed at eliminating an existential threat before it becomes a real danger."
Zamir stated that the Israeli army had struck Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
The current tensions follow a violent 12-day conflict in June that began with Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and military command structures.
Israel launched widespread attacks on June 13, targeting nuclear facilities in various Iranian cities and the army's senior command.
Iran's Chief of General Staff, Revolutionary Guards General Commander, several senior commanders, and nine nuclear scientists were killed in the attacks.
Iran's Health Ministry reported total civilian casualties of 606 dead and 5,332 wounded from Israeli attacks.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that 28 people were killed and 1,272 wounded in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
The United States, openly supporting Israel, attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan on June 22.
Iran responded on June 23 by attacking the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24.
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