Iran rejects Western calls to refrain from Israel attack

Iran has dismissed calls from the UK and other Western countries to refrain from retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month.

On Monday evening, the leaders of the UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement urging Iran and its allies to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions”.

“They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardise this opportunity for peace and stability,” Keir, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

Responding to the West, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani said that Tehran has its “recognized right” to defend national sovereignty and create deterrence against Israel as the source of terrorism in the region.

Having failed to protest Israel’s’ crimes, Kan’ani said, the three countries had “impudently” asked Iran not to take a punitive and deterrent action against the occupying regime that has violated the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Such excessive demands lack political logic and are completely contrary to the principles and rules of international law. They are tantamount to public and practical support for the source of international crimes and terrorism in the region and encourage and reward the masterminds and perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to defend its national sovereignty and security, and help establish sustainable stability in the region and create deterrence against the genuine source of insecurity and terrorism in the region,” he asserted, in an apparent reference to Israel.

The country “does not seek permission from anyone in exercising its recognized rights,” he noted.

With additional input from Press Tv