Iran says will ‘decisively’ make Israel pay for acts of aggression

Iran’s interim Foreign Minister says the Islamic Republic will “legitimately” and “decisively” make Israel pay for its crimes, including the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

In a telephone conversation with Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib on Saturday evening Ali Bagheri Kani said that the Israeli regime has destabilized West Asia with its strikes on Gaza and Lebanon and the “coward” assassination of Haniyeh on Iranian soil.

“In line with the defense of its national security, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty, the Islamic Republic of Iran will legitimately and decisively make the oppressive Israeli regime pay the price for its aggression under the international law and procedures as well as the UN Charter,” he pointed out.

For her part, Lahbib voiced deep concern over the unfolding developments in West Asia, saying, “Brussels is worried about the deterioration of the situation in the region as lack of control over the state of affairs will result in a full-blown war.”

She expressed support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and denounced the construction of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Lahbib added that Belgium supports the right of return of Palestinian refugees and at the same time seeks imposition of sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers.

The top Belgian diplomat underlined the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, stating that all parties should exercise maximum restraint in light of the worsening situation in West Asia and that continued consultation between Tehran and Brussels is highly required in this regard.

Bagheri Kani also held a similar phone conversation with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.

The two exchanged views over the Israeli assassination of Haniyeh and the Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City that killed more than 100 Palestinians and wounded dozens of others.

Bagheri Kani told Veldkamp that Western countries would have lectured others on the defense of human beings and human rights and employed all their capacities in case the attack on the al-Tabin school in Gaza City’s al-Daraj neighborhood had been carried out by an entity other than the Zionist regime.

He pointed to the Israeli violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and security following Haniyeh’s targeted killing in Tehran, criticizing some European countries for remaining silent on Israel’s terrorist acts which contravene international law.

“Unfortunately, some certain European states stay silent over the Zionist regime’s terrorist actions which violate international laws and unjustifiably prevented the UN Security Council from investigating Israeli crimes.

“Such measures have resulted in continuation of the Zionist regime’s brutalities and uptick in its atrocities,” he noted.

He highlighted Iran’s inherent right to respond to Israeli acts of aggression, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s action will be in accordance with international principles and the UN Charter.”

“It is, therefore, necessary for the Dutch government to condemn the crimes of the Zionist regime and support Iran’s legitimate and decisive action.”

Veldkamp, for his part, voiced concern regarding the escalation of tensions in West Asia, saying the Israeli attack on the al-Tabin school in Gaza was “heartbreaking.”

He also called for a ceasefire and the dispatch of humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza.

Also in a telephone conversation with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Saturday, Bagheri Kani called upon all Muslim countries to join forces and deter the Israeli regime through effective and unified measures.

Marsudi, for her part, emphasized that Israeli crimes, including Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran, pose grave dangers to international peace and security.

“Indonesia condemns the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, and considers it an example of violation of the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” she stated.

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