TEHRAN, Iran: Iran has firmly rejected recent Western demands to de-escalate its threat of retaliation against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani criticized the joint appeal from France, Germany, and Britain, accusing these countries of supporting Israel’s actions and disregarding the principles of international law.
The Western nations, along with the United States, have urged Iran to back down from its threats, citing concerns over regional stability. The U.S. and its European allies emphasized the potential severe consequences of any military action against Israel, urging Iran to avoid escalating the situation further.
Iran’s response came in the context of heightened tensions in the Middle East, already strained by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s killing, an allegation Israel has not addressed publicly. This diplomatic standoff underscores the volatile nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics and the challenges faced by international actors in managing regional conflicts.
