Iran’s foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned European leaders for urging Tehran not to attack Israel, asserting that the Islamic republic remained “resolute” in defending its security and would “not seek anyone’s permission to exercise its legitimate rights” to respond to being attacked.
This followed a joint statement by the UK, France, and Germany on Monday calling on Iran and its proxy forces to refrain from attacking Israel. Tensions have escalated after Iran accused Israel of assassinating Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of Hamas, in Tehran two weeks ago.
Nasser Kanaani, Iran’s foreign ministry’s spokesperson, criticised the European statement as an “excessive demand”, particularly since it failed to address “crimes” committed by Israel’s during its war in Gaza. He accused the Europeans of “brazenly” asking Iran to refrain from “punitive and deterrent actions against the regime that has violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity” with the killing of Haniyeh.