TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Minister has said Tehran has told Washington that it is not seeking escalation following an unprecedented strike on Israel. He said today’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting will “focus on the Palestinian issue”, saying Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip has reached a boiling point.
Iran carried out its first-ever direct strike on Israel, firing missiles and drones on the weekend. The attack to which Israel has vowed a response — was retaliation for an April 1st attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria. Iran alleged Israel for the consular strike in Syria.
Iranian top diplomat Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who is in New York to attend a UNSC meeting, said Tehran has “tried to tell the US clearly” that it is “not looking for the expansion of tension in the region after the strike.
The US and Iran have had no diplomatic ties since 1980, but Switzerland represents American interests in Tehran. Both Iran and the US have referred to the Swiss role as an intermediary.
Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran had communicated with the US “before and after” launching its strike on Israel.
He said that they informed the US that the decision by Iran to “reply to the (Israel) regime is final,” and now the matter ended.
Iran’s retaliation against Israel followed the attack in Damascus, Syria that killed seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, including two commanders. Amir-Abdollahian stated that before the operation, they clearly told the US that they will not target American interests in the region.
During his visit to New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian is set to hold meeting with United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and his counterparts from other nations.
