Iran Reasserts Right to Defense after Retaliatory Operation against Israel
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian foreign minister, who has stepped up diplomatic activities after Tehran’s military operation against Israel in retaliation for the Zionist regime’s airstrike on Iran’s diplomatic mission in Syria, reaffirmed the country’s right to legitimate self-defense.
Hossein Amirabdollahian held telephone conversations with several foreign counterparts and officials on Sunday to expound on the punitive mission “Operation True Promise” that the Iranian military forces carried out in retaliation for the Israeli airstrike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus.
The top Iranian diplomat held talks with his counterparts from Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar, Egypt, Malta and Russia, as well as with the EU’s foreign policy chief.
Amirabdollahian made it clear that Iran’s retaliatory operation against the Israeli regime was intentionally confined, describing it as a pre-emptive action aimed at punishing and warning the Zionist regime.
The foreign minister renewed a warning that any new Israeli action against Iran would trigger the Islamic Republic’s “much harsher” response.
Amirabdollahian made it clear to the foreign diplomats that Iran’s military response to the Israeli regime was totally in compliance with Tehran’s right to legitimate defense and in conformity with international law under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Describing the Zionist regime as the root cause of insecurity and instability across the region, the Iranian foreign minister reiterated Iran’s opposition to war and tensions, calling for collective efforts to stop the Zionist regime’s genocidal crimes and atrocities in the Gaza Strip.
He also noted that Iran favors lasting peace in Gaza and the establishment of calm and security in the region, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
In the early hours of Sunday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force launched tens of missiles and drones in retaliation for the Israeli regime’s April 1 airstrike that killed seven Iranian military commanders and advisers in Syria.
The IRGC commander said authentic reports about the Iranian missiles that have hit the Israeli targets indicate that the retaliatory operation has been considerably more successful than expected.
