Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of attempting to draw his country into a regional war as he pointed to the killing of a leading member of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran more than six weeks ago.
“Israel is trying to entangle us in a regional war by the assassination of Haniyeh. We reserve the right to defend ourselves,” the new Iranian president said on Monday during his first press conference following his inauguration.
Haniyeh, officially the chairman of Hamas’ Political Bureau, was killed in Tehran on July 31. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role in Haniyeh’s death.
Pezeshkian also reiterated that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons while also defending his country’s missile programme. “If we don’t have missiles, they [Israel] will bomb us at any time, just like in Gaza,” he said. “We will not give up our defensive capability.”
One of his government’s foreign policy goals is a rapprochement with the West, he said.
When asked by a journalist whether he would meet the new US president after the elections in November, Pezeshkian said, “a direct meeting requires that promises are kept.”
“They should not impose sanctions and threaten us, then we will also be fraternal with them,” he added.
The US and Israel have been considered arch-enemies of Tehran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Fears have been soaring that a wider war will break out in the Middle East ever since the attacks on Israel by Hamas in October last year, and the subsequent war in Gaza. Tehran supports groups hostile to Israel, including Hamas and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah.
In conclusion, as tensions continue to escalate between Iran and Israel, President Masoud Pezeshkian stands firm in his commitment to defend his country against external threats. The recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has only exacerbated these tensions, with Pezeshkian accusing Israel of attempting to drag Iran into a regional conflict. Despite this, Iran maintains that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and emphasizes the importance of its missile program for defensive purposes.
Looking ahead, Pezeshkian has expressed a desire for closer relations with Western powers and has hinted at the possibility of meeting with the new US president, contingent upon the fulfillment of promises and the avoidance of sanctions. The longstanding animosity between Iran, the US, and Israel underscores the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, with Tehran’s support for anti-Israel groups further complicating the situation.
As the world watches closely for any signs of escalation in the region, it remains to be seen how the various players will navigate these turbulent waters. Iran’s commitment to its defensive capabilities, coupled with its diplomatic overtures, sets the stage for a potentially transformative period in the country’s foreign relations. For the latest updates on this evolving situation and more news from around the world, visit DeFi Daily News.
