TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says while Iran does not seek further escalation in the region, it is fully prepared to respond to any Israeli actions in accordance with international law.

He made the remarks in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm following the assassination of senior Hamas figure Yahya Sinwar.

Araqchi strongly condemned Sinwar's killing, labeling it an Israeli war crime and another example of the country's ongoing aggression toward both the Palestinian people and their allies in Lebanon.

He underscored that such operations would only strengthen the resolve of the Resistance movements, including Hamas and Hezbollah, rather than weakening them. "These acts of aggression," he said, "are misguided if they believe they will weaken the resistance. Instead, they will fuel its determination to fight against Israeli occupation."

He pointed out that Sinwar’s assassination follows the previous killings of other high-profile leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah. According to Araqchi, these killings are part of a broader strategy by the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to demoralize resistance forces. However, the Iranian foreign minister argued that such tactics would backfire. "The blood of these martyrs," he said, "will not be in vain. It will continue to haunt the Israeli government, and it will inspire future generations in Palestine and across the region."

Araqchi also warned that the actions of Netanyahu’s administration, which he accused of committing war crimes and genocide against Palestinians, are likely to further isolate Israel on the international stage.

Despite calls for a ceasefire from the global community, Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, which Araqchi called the most urgent crises in the region. He emphasized that Iran is ready to stand against any Israeli threat and is prepared for any potential attack on its own soil.

Referring specifically to the strength of the resistance movements, Araqchi stressed that both Hamas and Hezbollah have become increasingly formidable forces. He accused Israel of not respecting international laws or values and said that Netanyahu’s short-term tactical gains, such as assassinating resistance leaders, would not change the long-term dynamics. "Israel’s actions only strengthen the resistance," he declared, adding that recent events had further solidified Iran’s readiness for any future conflict. "We are more prepared than ever for any scenario that may unfold against Tehran."

During the interview, Araqchi also touched on the broader regional conflicts, pointing out that the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the Israeli attacks against Iran, are of shared concern among countries in West Asia, including Egypt. He noted that his visit to Cairo was part of ongoing political consultations, with both Iran and Egypt calling for an immediate ceasefire to end the bloodshed.