Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stressed that the Islamic Republic constantly welcomes a ceasefire deal in Gaza but was clear that this issue has nothing to do with Tehran’s legitimate right to respond to Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
“The ceasefire is an international demand, that more than ten months of killing must stop, and these negotiations continue within the framework of the global demand and the will of the Palestinian side,” Nasser Kanaani said while answering the questions raised by journalists in his weekly presser on Monday.
Iran was the most important and strongest international supporter of stopping the war in Gaza, he said, adding that Tehran would continue to support the efforts of other countries in this regard.
“But this issue has nothing to do with Iran’s legitimate right to respond to the aggressor,” Kanaani emphasized.
Iran: Israel has shown it has no desire for Gaza ceasefire https://t.co/t6tWk44rck pic.twitter.com/2GjhFc24T8
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“The official guest of Iran was targeted by a terrorist attack on Iranian soil and was martyred. He was the leader of the process of political negotiations to establish a ceasefire. Therefore, the (Israeli) regime basically showed that it is not willing to follow the political process by assassinating Haniyeh.”
Iran has the right to defend its security and territorial integrity based on the United Nations Charter, the Iranian diplomat underlined, as quoted by Mehr News Agency.
Kanaani further stressed that calling on Iran to show restraint in such a situation is an irrational request.
Source: Iranian media