Iranian FM pledges ‘stronger’ retaliation if Israel strikes Iran
Al Jazeera
In Beirut, Abbas Araghchi says Tehran supports an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, contingent on a simultaneous truce in Gaza.
Iran’s foreign minister says he supports efforts for a regional ceasefire with Israel, while also warning Tel Aviv that if it carries out an attack on Iran, Tehran will retaliate in a harsh way.
Abbas Araghchi’s remarks on Friday came as he was in Beirut for meetings with Lebanese officials. His visit took place three days after the latest in a series of rapidly escalating attacks that threaten to push the region closer to an all-out war.
“If the Israeli entity takes any step or measure against us, our retaliation will be stronger than the previous one,” Araghchi said after meeting Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
On Tuesday, Iran launched missiles at Israel. Iran said the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s killings of senior Hezbollah, Hamas and Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) figures, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and escalating attacks in Lebanon.
Araghchi said his presence in the city under bombardment signals Iran’s support for Hezbollah and expressed backing for a ceasefire in Lebanon, contingent on a simultaneous Israeli ceasefire in Gaza.
