In response to the assassination of Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh in July, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that retaliation against Israel would be a rightful act to deter future aggression. The European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, issued a joint statement urging Iran to refrain from retaliatory strikes that could escalate tensions in the region.
Pezeshkian criticized the West’s silence on the situation in Gaza and other Israeli attacks in the Middle East, stating that it was irresponsible and emboldened Israel to jeopardize regional and global security. Iran views retaliation as a legitimate action to halt crimes and aggression, according to Pezeshkian. The Iranian government rejected the European leaders’ request, stating that they do not need permission to retaliate for Haniyeh’s death, which they consider to lack political logic.
Iran has long supported anti-Israeli militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and does not recognize Israel as a legitimate state. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with the Palestinian death toll in Gaza nearing 40,000 according to the Health Ministry. Mediators have been working towards a three-phase plan to end the conflict, involving the release of hostages captured by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has further heightened tensions in the region, with Israel neither confirming nor denying its involvement in the killing. Iran has vowed to take action in response to the assassination, citing it as a strategic move to deter future Israeli aggression. The European leaders’ call for de-escalation and the resumption of talks to end the conflict have been met with rejection from the Iranian government, which views retaliation as a legitimate right.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. The ongoing violence and loss of life in Gaza have raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the region. Mediators are working tirelessly to bring an end to the conflict and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, but the situation remains complex and volatile. Efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict are ongoing, but the path to peace in the region remains uncertain amidst escalating tensions and acts of aggression.
