TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking to escalate tensions and start a war, but it will severely and firmly respond to Israel if the regime decides to commit more illegal acts against Iranian personnel and assets, according to the Iranian Foreign Minister. 

Hossein Amir Abdollahian made the remarks during a phone call with his South African counterpart. During the conversation, Amir Abdollahian explained that during its attack on the occupied territories last week, Tehran acted in self-defense and in line with international law. He noted how the country only targeted Israeli military and intelligence bases that were involved in the regime’s strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 1. 

The Israeli attack on diplomatic premises, which was in violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention, resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including a high-ranking military official and his deputy. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei vowed Iran would make the regime “regret” the unlawful act, a promise he seemed to fulfill on April 14 when the country launched a massive drone and missile attack against the occupied territories. Reports suggest Iran managed to seriously damage at least three military bases in the Occupied Golan Heights and the Negev region. 

“After this operation, Iran also announced to the international community, including the United States, that it is not seeking to expand the war, but if the Israeli regime takes any action against the Islamic Republic of Iran again, it will respond strongly and decisively,” Amir Abdollahian noted. 

During the phone call, the top Iranian diplomat also condemned Western states for refusing to hold Israel accountable for the various crimes it has committed in the region in the past 7 months. Elsewhere in his comments, the foreign minister praised South Africa for the genocide case it put forth in the International Court of Justice against the regime. 

For her part, Naledi Pandor, emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip. 

Since the beginning of Israel’s latest round of onslaughts against Gaza over 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have tragically lost their lives. The enclave is also on the verge of famine due to Israel’s full siege.  

Pandor also talked about a future meeting between Iranian and South African leaders, stating that President Ebrahim Raisi is expected for a visit to the African country in 2024.