Leaked messages circulating on the messaging platform Telegram and allegedly linked to former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have sparked intense debate about Iran’s potential response to rising tensions in the Middle East. If verified, the conversations appear to outline a calculated strategy for retaliatory actions against the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates while attempting to avoid a full-scale regional war.

The authenticity of the messages has not been officially confirmed, and authorities in Iran have not issued any formal response.

Alleged Targets and Strategic Messaging

According to the leaked conversations, Zarif reportedly described the UAE as Iran’s “enemy number two,” ranking it behind Israel among Tehran’s perceived regional adversaries. The messages allegedly suggest targeting American naval vessels and key Israeli infrastructure in order to send a strong deterrent signal.

One of the discussions also referenced a possible attack on the strategic causeway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain—widely understood to be the King Fahd Causeway—as a way to demonstrate Iran’s reach and influence in the Gulf region.

“The UAE and Israel are the same,” Zarif was quoted as saying in the alleged messages while discussing high-impact targets.

Calls for Calculated Escalation

Despite the aggressive tone in parts of the conversation, the messages also suggest a strategy aimed at avoiding a direct large-scale conflict. Zarif reportedly advised giving Washington an “honourable exit,” implying that diplomatic pathways should remain open even amid retaliatory actions.

The discussions referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that symbolic actions might allow Washington to claim success while preventing escalation into a broader war. According to the leaks, such ideas were ultimately rejected by Iranian officials.

Religious and Personal Appeals

The leaked messages also include references to spiritual beliefs. Zarif allegedly spoke about praying for divine assistance to defeat Trump and thwart what he described as the “satanic schemes” of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He reportedly mentioned a prediction from a Chinese fortune teller and urged supporters to pray for Iran’s success while warning leaders not to lose public support through rhetoric alone.

Growing Tensions Amid Unverified Claims

The emergence of the alleged messages comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Analysts say that if the leaks prove authentic, they could further strain Iran’s relations with several countries in the region.

However, with no official confirmation from Tehran and questions surrounding the authenticity of the messages, the claims remain unverified. Even so, the leak has added a new layer of uncertainty to an already volatile regional landscape.

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