Iran’s Right to Retaliate: Rising Tensions Amidst International Warnings
Iran Asserts Right to Retaliate as US Warns of Imminent Escalation
Several Western nations, including France, the UK, and the US, have advised their citizens to avoid traveling to the region due to escalating tensions.
Iran has firmly reiterated its determination to exercise its “legitimate” and “legal” right to defend itself against Israel following the assassination of Hamas figure Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. “No one has the right to doubt Iran’s legal right to punish the Zionist regime,” stated Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani.
In a recent telephone conversation with Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri echoed these sentiments. Bagheri emphasized that Iran “will undoubtedly exercise its legitimate and inherent right to defend its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity with the aim of creating deterrence against the Zionist regime’s aggressive actions and ensuring continued security and stability in West Asia.”
Haniyeh was assassinated on July 31 while attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president. Although Israel has neither commented on nor claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran has vowed retaliation, promising that Israel will “receive harsh punishment at the suitable time, place, and capacity.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared late Sunday that Israel is “determined to stand against” Iran and its allied groups “on all fronts.”
According to a report by Axios, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Iran and Hezbollah might retaliate against Israel within the next 24 to 48 hours. This warning has led to increased military deployments and heightened international concern about the potential for an expanded conflict.
Blinken reportedly informed G7 counterparts in a conference call that the US believes both Iran and Hezbollah will retaliate.
In light of the growing instability in the region, several countries, including Ireland, the UK, the US, and France, have advised their citizens against traveling to Israel and Lebanon.