West’s support for Israel jeopardizes regional, international security: President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has censured certain international bodies for their silence vis-à-vis the unprecedented Israeli crimes as well as Western states’ support for the Tel Aviv regime, saying the practices encourage further perpetration of atrocities and jeopardize regional and international security.

Pezeshkian made the comments in a phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday evening, as the two sides exchanged views on how to establish peace and stability in West Asia and elsewhere in the world, and discussed ways to improve mutual ties between the two nations.

“The silence of international bodies towards the unprecedented and inhumane crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza and the terrorist acts of the regime in the region, in addition to certain European countries’ support for the entity are irresponsible and in violation of international regulations,” the Iranian president said.

He noted that such practices have emboldened the Zionist regime to continue its crimes, and have threatened regional and international peace and security.

'Punitive response'

Pezeshkian emphasized that while the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that war is not in anyone’s interest, it views punitive response to aggression as the legitimate right of world states and a proper mechanism to stop atrocities and brutalities.

The Iranian president also welcomed expansion of bilateral relations between Tehran and London and resumption of talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal -- officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing that all parties must comply with their obligations in order for the negations to yield favorable results.

Pezeshkian: Iran reserves right to respond to Israel over Haniyeh assassination

The Iranian president says international rules and regulations assert Tehran’s right to respond to Israel’s assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran.

'Do not attack Israel'

For his part, Starmer told Pezeshkian he was deeply concerned by the situation in West Asia and called on all parties to "de-escalate and avoid further regional confrontation."

"There was a serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration," 10 Downing Street cited Starmer as saying, adding that he had underlined his commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all prisoners and captives and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The focus should be on diplomatic negotiations, Starmer said.

The British prime minister also asked Pezeshkian to refrain from launching an attack on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pezeshkian, alongside other Axis of Resistance leaders, was martyred in an attack early on July 31.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned the Israeli regime of a "harsh response" for Haniyeh's assassination, calling it the Islamic Republic's duty to avenge the Palestinian resistance leader's blood.

“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our homeland and left us bereaved, but it also set the ground for a harsh punishment for itself,” the Leader said.

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