Iran says it doesn’t want regional escalation but must punish Israel
VOV correspondents in US, Egypt -
(VOVWORLD) - Iran said on Monday that it is not looking to escalate regional tensions but believes it needs to punish Israel to prevent further instability following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.
 Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani (Photo: en.mfa.ir) |
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said enhancing stability and security in the region would be achieved by punishing and creating deterrence against Israel. Iran has a "legal right to punish" Israel within the international legal framework, said Kanaani.
US President Joe Biden phoned King Abdullah II of Jordan on Monday following Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s calls with the Qatari Prime Minister and the Egyptian Foreign Minister.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called on all parties to refrain from escalating tensions, but the US also underscored the need to prepare for all possible scenarios.
In response to the threat from Iran and Iranian-backed militias, the Pentagon has deployed military resources to the Middle East, including a squadron of fighter jets, naval ships, and air defense forces, and said it will maintain an aircraft carrier strike group in the area and be prepared for anti-aircraft ballistic missiles.
The G7 Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement Monday calling on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue to de-escalate tensions.
VOV correspondents in US, Egypt