New York: Iran has rejected a call by three European countries asking it to refrain from any retaliatory attacks that would further escalate regional tensions.
Nasser Kanaani, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, described these demands as “void of political logic, in complete contradiction to the principles and rules of international law, and excessive.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a joint statement beginning this week endorsing the latest push by mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to broker an agreement to end the Israel-Hamas war.
The leaders also called for the return of scores of hostages held by Hamas and the “unfettered” delivery of humanitarian aid and asked that Iran and its allies refrain from retaliation that would further escalate regional tensions after the late-July killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
State news agency IRNA reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had told Starmer that Western countries’ support for Israel had encouraged it to “continue atrocities” and threatened peace and security.
The Israeli military, according to BBC, stated that it was taking Iran’s statements seriously. “We are prepared at peak readiness in offense and defense, and we will act according to the directives of the government,” spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a briefing.
Shia militias warn of 'unlimited' retaliation if US attacks IranBaghdad: An umbrella group of Iraqi Shia militias warned the US of "unlimited" retaliation if it attacks Iraq or Iran. The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee (IRCC), representing the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said this week that it would not be constrained by any restrictions if US forces target Iraqi personnel or use Iraqi airspace to strike Iran. This threat comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran and its allies pledging retaliation for the recent killings of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut, both occurring in late July, Xinhua news agency reported. In response to the rising threat, Washington said it is committed to defending Israel in the event of a major conflict and is sending "more troops and military hardware to the Middle East". |
