TEHRAN – Iran’s interim foreign minister says Israel would be held accountable for its "crimes" under international law.

In a series of diplomatic communications, Ali Baqeri Kani emphasized that Iran will respond "legitimately" and "decisively" to Israel's recent actions, including the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

During a phone call with Belgian foreign minister Hadja Lahbib on Saturday, Baqeri Kani condemned Israel for its destabilizing actions in West Asia, citing the strikes on Gaza and Lebanon and the "cowardly" assassination of Haniyeh on Iranian soil. 

He reiterated that Iran, in defense of its national sovereignty and security, would take necessary measures to make Israel "pay the price" for its actions, adhering to the principles outlined in the UN Charter.

Belgian foreign minister expressed deep concern over the escalating situation in the region, warning that the lack of control could lead to a "full-blown war." She reaffirmed Belgium’s support for Palestinian self-determination and condemned the ongoing construction of illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. 

Lahbib also emphasized the importance of imposing sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

She further noted that due to the possibility of the deterioration of the situation in the region, all parties must exercise maximum restraint, emphasizing the need for the continuation of consultations between Tehran and Brussels.

Top Iranian, Dutch diplomats discuss regional developments

Baqeri Kani also engaged in a similar discussion with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. 

The conversation focused on Israel's assassination of Haniyeh and the recent Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City, which killed over 100 Palestinians and left dozens injured. 

Baqeri Kani criticized Western nations for their silence on Israel's actions, which he argued would have drawn widespread condemnation had they been committed by any other entity. 

He underscored Iran's right to respond to these provocations, calling on the Dutch government to condemn Israel's actions.

Veldkamp echoed concerns about the rising tensions in West Asia, describing the attack on the school as "heartbreaking" and calling for immediate humanitarian aid and a ceasefire.

Tehran urges Islamic nations to take effective measures against Israel

In another conversation with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Baqeri Kani urged Muslim nations to unite against Israel’s actions. 

Marsudi condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, calling it a violation of Iran's sovereignty and a threat to global peace. The ministers agreed on the need for a unified stance among Islamic countries to support Palestinians and counter Israel’s aggressive actions.

Baqeri Kani highlighted that the assassination of Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran represented a serious breach of Iran's territorial integrity and national security. He asserted that Iran would take reciprocal measures in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

Marsudi also expressed regret over the significant loss of life in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. She stressed the necessity of unity among Islamic nations to achieve a ceasefire and maintain stability in the region.

The assassination of Haniyeh occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 31, when he was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president. He was killed by an aerial projectile while staying at a residence in northern Tehran.

The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, warned of a "harsh response" to the recent atrocity, and reaffirmed the Islamic Republic's duty to avenge the blood of the Resistance leader.

Israel has also killed more than 39,790 Palestinians, mostly children and women, in Gaza since October 7 of the previous year.

Iran, Hamas discuss Israeli airstrike on Gaza school

Baqeri Kani also held a telephone conversation with Khalil al-Hayya, Deputy Chief of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas, to discuss Israel’s recent airstrike on a school in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians, including many women and children.

During the call, Baqeri Kani condemned the Israeli attack, describing it as a brutal and unjustifiable act of aggression. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is actively working to mobilize international and regional organizations to denounce this latest atrocity. 

He expressed Iran's commitment to bringing global attention to the situation, pushing for a united response against Israel's actions.

Khalil al-Hayya, in turn, highlighted the horrific impact of the airstrike, particularly the loss of innocent lives, including children and women. 

He called on the international community to recognize and condemn the attack as a terrorist act. 

Al-Hayya also underscored the importance of continued consultations with Iran, stressing that collaboration is crucial in addressing the ongoing crisis and ensuring that the voices of the Palestinian people are heard on the global stage.

The Israeli airstrike, which targeted a school in Gaza's Daraj area during morning prayers, has drawn widespread condemnation and increased calls for international intervention. 

The al-Tabin School sheltered many displaced people who were performing the dawn prayer when attacked, causing a large number of casualties, the Gaza media office said in a statement, adding that medical, civil defense, relief and emergency teams were not able to recover the bodies of all the victims.

Israeli warplanes bombed the school in the east of Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, with three rockets and most of the injured that were transferred to the Ahli Arab Hospital in the city are in a very serious condition, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

On Friday, the United Nations and humanitarians partners estimated that at least 60,000 Palestinians had been forced to leave their shelters and head towards western Khan Younis, following three Israeli evacuation orders over the past week.

China reaffirms Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty

China's foreign minister Wang Yi strongly denounced the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. 

According to an official statement released on Sunday, Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Ali Baqeri Kani and reiterated China's firm condemnation of the killing, which Beijing views as a grave violation of Iran's sovereignty and a destabilizing act in the region.

Wang Yi stressed that the assassination has serious repercussions, particularly in undermining the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip and threatening broader regional peace and stability. 

He underscored China's stance in supporting Iran's efforts to defend its sovereignty, security, and national dignity in line with international law. Furthermore, Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to maintaining close diplomatic ties with Tehran and supporting Iran's role in promoting regional stability.