Iran has rejected calls from Western nations to abstain from retaliating against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. In response to the situation, Israel has placed its military on high alert, although it has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s killing.
Iranian state media reported that Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, view retaliation as a legitimate right of the state, framing it as a necessary step to prevent further wrongdoing. Amid escalating tensions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a rare phone conversation with Pezeshkian, urging him to de-escalate military threats against Israel.
The US also responded to the situation by postponing Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned visit to the Middle East, where discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza were anticipated. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon, has threatened retaliation due to Israel’s airstrike that killed one of its commanders.
The US has indicated that it is readying itself for possible significant attacks from Iran or its affiliates in the near future and has bolstered its military presence in the region to protect Israel.
On Monday, the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany released a joint statement urging Iranian and allied forces to avoid actions that could further heighten tensions. They warned that any aggressive moves would have consequences for peace and stability.
In the telephone conversation, Pezeshkian argued that Western support for Israel has encouraged ongoing violence and jeopardized security. He maintained that while war is not beneficial for any nation, Iran reserves the right to respond to aggression as a means to uphold justice.
The Iranian foreign ministry also dismissed Western leaders’ calls for moderation, characterizing them as lacking political rationale and contrary to international law.
Israel’s military is taking Iran’s threats seriously and remains on high alert, stating that it would respond firmly to any aggression. In preparation for potential conflicts, the US military has deployed additional assets to reinforce its commitment to defending Israel.
Currently, negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages are in the works, with expectations for talks to resume soon. Israel and Hamas have shown an openness to continue discussions despite the recent turmoil, with the situation remaining dire as the toll from the ongoing conflict continues to rise significantly.