Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that retaliation for the assassination of Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran is justified. The president stated that punishing aggressors is a right of nations and a means to stop crimes and aggression. Pezeshkian criticized the West’s silence on Israeli attacks in the Middle East, calling it irresponsible and encouraging further aggression.
In response to a joint statement from French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging Iran to refrain from retaliatory strikes, the Iranian government rejected the request. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that Iran does not need permission to retaliate for Haniyeh’s death, calling the demand lacking political logic and contrary to international law.
Mediators have been working on a plan to end the Israel-Hamas war, including the release of hostages by Hamas and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Talks were expected to resume on Thursday after months of negotiations. As the death toll in Gaza nears 40,000 after over 10 months of fighting, tensions in the region remain high. Iran, which does not recognize Israel, supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
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