Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the Islamic Republic is committed to peace and security in the region but reserves the right to respond to the Israeli assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil, IRNA reports.

 

The president made the remarks as he took a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed concerns about an increase in regional tensions following the killing of the Hamas political leader and urged Iran to exercise restraint.

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the avoidance of war and the effort to establish global peace and security as its fundamental principles. However, within the framework of treaties and international laws, it will never remain silent in the face of violations against its interests and security,” he told Macron.

 

Pezeshkian said the assassination of Haniyeh—who was in Iran as an official guest—was an attempt by Israel to further fan the flames of conflict in the region.

 

He criticized the United States and its Western allies for “supporting Israel’s crimes, genocide and assassinations instead of condemning them”.