Iran ignores the alarm from the West: "Our right"

 

The war between Israel and Hamas
Iran refuses to back down - despite unique call to the president

Joachim Kerpner

Published 2024-08-14 18.06

Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran is entitled to a "punitive response". Photo: Vahid Salemi / AP

Iran refuses to desist from attacks on Israel, BBC reports.

In an extremely rare direct call, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Iran's president and urged the country to back off.

- A punitive response against an aggressor is our legal right, the president replied.
 

Quick version

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and asked the country to refrain from attacks on Israel, which Iran rejected citing their "legal rights".
•  Three major European powers, including Britain, called on Iran to desist from attacks following the July 31 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Three European powers - Great Britain, France and Germany - called on Iran in a joint statement yesterday Monday to "refrain from attacks that could increase regional tensions". The statement came twelve days after Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31.

Called up the president

Later on Monday, the British Prime Minister called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and asked him to "refrain from further threats of a military attack." The call was the first direct phone conversation between a British prime minister and Iran's top leadership since March 2021, according to the BBC.

Keir Starmer called the president of Iran. Photo: Joe Giddens/AP

Masoud Pezeshkian responded by criticizing Western countries, claiming that their support for Israel has encouraged it to continue with "heinous acts" that threaten peace and security, Iran's state news agency Irna said.

- A punitive response to an aggressor is our legal right and a way to stop criminal acts and aggression, the president told the prime minister, according to Irna.
Vows to fight back

An Israeli government spokesperson responded to the president's remarks with a warning - namely that Israel will "hit hard against any aggression against us."

Vows to fight back

An Israeli government spokesperson responded to the president's remarks with a warning - namely that Israel will "hit hard against any aggression against us."

            

          

           Ismail Haniyeh.
          1 / 2Photo: Vahid Salemi / AP

Assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, who recently took office as president.

Since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 - when 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 251 taken hostage - Israel's war on Gaza has claimed 39,920 lives, according to the BBC.

Hundreds of people have also died in the almost daily exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, which is allied with Iran.