Iran reserves the right to respond to the Israeli attacks last weekend, but will not act hastily, Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said in Tehran on Tuesday.
The Israel Defense Forces announced early Saturday that it conducted "precise and targeted" airstrikes on targets in Iran in response to recent attacks from the country. Iran's air defense headquarters said it successfully countered the Israeli attacks, which resulted in only "limited damage."
At a meeting in the Iranian capital with foreign ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions, the United Nations offices and international organizations in Iran, Araghchi said Iran had successfully curbed Israeli aggression and proved its ability to safeguard national security, but Israel must be held accountable for what it had done.
"Iran fully reserves its legal right to respond appropriately to such a clear aggression. Israel will realize the consequences of its underestimate of Iran's strength, capabilities and will. But Iran will neither hesitate in doing so nor act hastily," he said.
Araghchi also called for international organizations, including the United Nations, to immediately take responsible collective action to stop Israel's grave violations of international law and conventions and provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced people in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Noting that there will be no peace in the region unless Israel stops its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, Araghchi said Israel's aggression against multiple countries is a military adventure that seriously threatens global peace and security.
He stressed that Iran has been fully prepared for more possible provocations and aggression by Israel.
The international community must stop the full support of the United States for Israel, Araghchi said, adding other parties should also play constructive roles in maintaining regional security and coping with Israel's military adventure and criminal acts.
Iran to respond to Israeli attacks, but not hastily: FM
