ISTANBUL: Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and Gaza are prompting Iran to take legitimate actions, Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated at a joint press conference in Istanbul with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“Israel’s aggressive posture is forcing Iran to respond appropriately,” Fidan said, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “constantly opening new fronts in the region” and attempting to draw Iran into the conflict.
He cautioned, “The risk of war spreading throughout the region should not be underestimated.”
Iran supports resistance groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have suffered leadership losses due to Israeli actions amid the escalating crisis.
On October 1, Iran retaliated for the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by launching around 200 missiles. Israel has vowed to respond to this barrage and recently killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7 attacks that escalated the current conflict.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued warnings that they would retaliate “painfully” if Israel targets Iranian interests.
