If Israel were to strike Iran in response to a missile attack, the country’s top diplomat would respond with a “decisive and regretful” response, he told UN president Antonio Guterres.
In retaliation for the deaths of one Iranian general, two of Iran’s closest allies-Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah-and an Iranian general, the Islamic republic launched over 200 missiles against Israel on October 1.
The defense minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant, promised last week that Israel will respond with a “deadly, precise and surprising” action.
During a phone call with Guterres, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi stated, “Iran, while making all-out efforts to protect the peace and security of the region, is fully prepared for a decisive and regretful response to any adventures” by Israel. This information was released on Wednesday by the foreign minister’s office.
During Tuesday night’s call, Araghchi pleaded for the UN to “stop the crimes and aggressions of the Israeli regime and to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Gaza” with the use of its resources.
According to his office, Iran’s top diplomat also spoke with French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday via phone.
Araghchi emphasized the urgency of ending Israeli attacks on Lebanon, cautioned against any “new adventures” by its regional enemy, and demanded that Israeli “obstacles” be removed so relief could be sent to displaced persons in the region.
It was after presidents Emmanuel Macron and Masoud Pezeshkian spoke on the phone on Sunday.
In an attempt to defuse tensions, Araghchi has made stops in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, and Iraq throughout the last seven days.
According to a post by Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, Araghchi touched down in Jordan on Wednesday before continuing on to Egypt and Turkey.
The two leaders met upon Araghchi’s arrival in Amman and spoke about current events in the area, including Israel’s “atrocity and aggression against Gaza and Lebanon,” according to Baghaei.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Araghchi also had a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The events are taking place amidst the backdrop of a protracted conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been going on for over a year and recently extended to Lebanon.
