TEHRAN – Iran's acting foreign minister, Ali Baqeri Kani, has declared that the Islamic Republic retains the "inherent right" to retaliate against Israel for violations of its sovereignty.

During a phone conversation with Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, on Tuesday, Baqeri Kani stressed that these acts of aggression are a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, Lebanon, and Iran.

He reiterated that while Iran continues its efforts to halt the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, it reserves the right to respond to these violations.

Baqeri Kani emphasized that Iran remains committed to supporting efforts aimed at ending Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Baqeri Kani accused the Israeli regime of attempting to expand the conflict to other countries in the region, highlighting recent incidents as "clear examples" of Israel's provocations.

These incidents include Israel's April attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, its strike on a residential area in Beirut, Lebanon, and the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, in Tehran last month.

Haniyeh had been in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's new President, Masoud Pezeshkian, alongside other leaders of the Axis of Resistance.

His assassination has led to widespread outrage in Iran, with Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warning of a "harsh response" to avenge the death of the Palestinian Resistance leader.

“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest on our soil, leaving us in mourning,” Khamenei said, adding that this act of aggression would not go unpunished.

During the phone call, Tajani expressed Italy’s concerns over the escalating tensions in the region and urged all parties to exercise restraint. He also emphasized the importance of advancing a new initiative by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible.

Earlier this month, these three countries issued a joint statement calling for the resumption of negotiations to secure a ceasefire and the release of prisoners and captives.

The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7 after Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in retaliation for Israel’s long-standing campaign against Palestinians, has resulted in a devastating toll. Israel's military offensive in Gaza has so far claimed the lives of 39,897 Palestinians, mostly women and children, with 92,152 others injured. Thousands more remain missing, feared dead beneath the rubble.