Iran condemns European leaders' call for restraint as support for terrorism

Spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani has said that Iran views the calls from Berlin, London, and Paris for Tehran to refrain from a military strike against Israel in response to the death of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh as support for terrorism.

Kanaani described such claims as lacking political logic, entirely contradicting international legal principles and norms, and constituting excessive demands that publicly and practically support sources of international crimes and terrorism in the region, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Russian media.

He argued that these statements encourage those responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The spokesman noted that the statements from the three European countries were made at a time when the indifference of Western countries and allies of the Israeli regime has allowed Israel to continue its genocide and war crimes against the defenceless Palestinian people.

Kanaani also criticized the United Nations Security Council and the authorities of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France for failing to take effective steps to halt the Israeli military operations in Gaza and to bring an end to the conflict in the Palestinian enclave.

On August 12, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France issued a joint statement urging Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that could further escalate regional tension and jeopardize the possibility of negotiating a ceasefire and the release of hostages. If Iran were to strike Israel, it would be held responsible for disrupting negotiations between Israeli authorities and Hamas regarding the resolution of the situation in Gaza.