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Pezeshkian’s remarks came in reference to Israel’s overnight air attack on Saturday in retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage on October 1.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian holding a Cabinet meeting (Photo: X/@Iran_GOV)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday held a cabinet meeting on Israel’s recent attack on the country’s military sites, where he reiterated that Tehran does not seek war but will defend the rights of the nation and warned of an “appropriate” response to the attack.
This came after Israel launched an overnight attack against Iranian missile factories and other sites on Saturday, killing four Iranian soldiers working in the country’s air defence systems and a citizen. Iran has downplayed the impact of the attack, saying it caused limited damage.
In the cabinet meeting today, Pezeshkian said, “Our dear people and the Islamic Republic system have shown over the past 45 years that they will never bow to any aggressor.” He further remarked that “awakened consciences” across the world are “repulsed by the Zionist regime and its brutal crimes”.
1/3 🇮🇷| Dr. Massoud Pezeshkian, in a cabinet meeting, referred to Israel’s violation of our country’s airspace and said: “Our dear people and the Islamic Republic system have shown over the past 45 years that they will never bow to any aggressor.” pic.twitter.com/quVzqztEg6— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) October 28, 2024
“We do not seek war, but we will defend the rights of our nation and country; we will give an appropriate response to the Zionist regime’s aggression,” said the Iranian President, hinting at a possible response that could trigger an all-out war in the fragile Middle East.
What Did Iran’s Supreme Leader Say On Israeli Attack?
Israel’s attack was conducted in retaliation for Iran’s October 1 attack on Israel with about 200 ballistic missiles. Israel warned its heavily armed arch-foe not to hit back after the latest strike, which was supported by the United States.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that Iranian officials should determine how best to demonstrate Iran’s power to Israel, adding that the Israeli attack should “neither be downplayed nor exaggerated”.
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s strikes “severely harmed” Iran and that the barrage achieved all its objectives. “The air force attacked throughout Iran. We hit hard Iran’s defence capabilities and its ability to produce missiles that are aimed at us,” he said.
The UN Security Council will convene a meeting on Monday to discuss the attack as US President Joe Biden called for a halt to escalation that has raised fears of a wider Middle East war arising from the year-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Israel’s fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Heavy fighting in Lebanon between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which sharply intensified over recent weeks, continued on Sunday with an Israeli airstrike killing eight people in a residential block in Sidon, medics said.
(with agency input)
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