Tehran, Iran

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Iran, in a statement issued on Monday (September 30), said that it will not deploy forces to Lebanon or Gaza to confront Israel. However, Iranian hardliners are dissatisfied with President Masoud Pezeshkian's government for its lenient approach following the death of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, and they are demanding drastic measures from the government.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all state matters, vowed that Nasrallah's death "will not be in vain" and urged “all Muslims to stand with the people of Lebanon and the honourable Hezbollah,” but he did not call for any direct retaliation. This has disappointed many in the hardline camp, who were expecting a stronger response.

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Hardliners push for nuclear weapons development

Some are now advocating for the country to develop nuclear weapons. University professor Sohrab Salehi posted on X, stating, “Iran burned its cards in the past. Now the only available card is the Atom Bomb. This is the only way to bring the West to negotiations.”

Calls to block the Strait of Hormuz

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According to reports by Iran International, extremists, including supporters of ultra-hardliners such as former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, are questioning why Iran has not followed Yemen's example, which controls the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key oil route. Iran’s ultra-hardliners suggest that closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel for global oil shipments, could serve as a warning to Israel and its Western allies.

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One social media post translated to English asked, “Why can Yemen block the main passageway of oil [in the Bab al-Mandab Strait], but we are not doing the same in the Strait of Hormuz?” However, such an action could provoke a military confrontation with the United States and other regional naval forces.

In a statement on Monday (September 29), the United States highlighted its readiness to deploy forces in the Middle East at short notice if necessary. “The United States retains the capability to deploy forces on short notice,” the US Defense Department (DOD) said.

"The United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)