During a state visit to Pakistan, Raisi addressed students and staff at the Government College University in Lahore, where he forcefully condemned Israel’s April 14th attack on Syria. He asserted that Iran had “punished” Tel Aviv with its retaliatory drone strikes and vowed further severe consequences should Israel continue its aggression. Earlier this month, Israel struck the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, killing several Iranian generals. Iran swiftly responded with retaliatory strikes, and last week, Israel again targeted Iran. The escalating tensions have put the West Asian region on high alert, with Iranian leaders reiterating their commitment to the strongest possible retaliation against any Israeli attack.
In his speech, Raisi emphasized Iran and Pakistan’s “common view” on the Palestinian issue, stating that “defending the oppressed people of Palestine” is a shared priority. He praised Islamabad’s unwavering stance on the matter and highlighted the importance of global support for the Palestinian cause. Raisi also took a swipe at the United States, criticizing Washington for its failure to uphold its principles of free speech. He cited the recent expulsion of pro-Palestinian student protestors from US universities as evidence of America’s double standards. The Iranian President’s stern warning and his remarks on the Palestinian issue underscore the heightened tensions between Iran and Israel and the potential for further escalation in the region.
