In a rare phone call with the United Kingdom, newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's right to retaliate against Israel. The British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, urged Tehran to refrain from attacking Israel, emphasizing that war is not in anyone's interest.
The call came following a joint statement from the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and three other European countries. Despite the plea for restraint, President Pezeshkian maintained that a strong response to an attack is a nation's right and a means to halt crimes and aggression.
Iran's criticism of Western support for Israel was highlighted during the call, with President Pezeshkian stating that such backing endangers regional security by emboldening Israel to continue its alleged crimes.
Tensions escalated following the alleged assassination of Hamas commander Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, with Iran denouncing the act and blaming Israel. Despite international pressure, Iran expressed its intent to avenge the death of the Hamas leader.
Concerns arose that Iran and its proxies might launch an attack on Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh's killing. While no immediate attack occurred, the threat loomed, prompting Israel to warn of retaliatory strikes on Iranian territory in response to any aggression from Iran.
The situation further intensified with a cyberattack on Iranian banks, causing significant disruptions. Although Iran has not attributed blame, previous cyberattacks were linked to the U.S. and Israel.
The ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel underscore the volatile nature of the region, with both sides poised for potential escalation despite international calls for restraint.
