Iran FM addresses envoys on military response to Israeli regime’s aggression

Following the decisive response and legitimate defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran in reaction to the terrorist attack by the Zionist regime on April 1 2024 targeting the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and resulting in the martyrdom of seven Iranian senior military advisers a briefing and explanatory meeting was convened at noon on Sunday April 14 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of ambassadors diplomats and heads of international agencies residing in Tehran.

Following the decisive response and legitimate defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran in reaction to the terrorist attack by the Zionist regime on April 1, 2024, targeting the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and resulting in the martyrdom of seven Iranian senior military advisers, a briefing and explanatory meeting was convened at noon on Sunday, April 14 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of ambassadors, diplomats, and heads of international agencies residing in Tehran.

 Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, expressed gratitude for the presence of ambassadors and heads of representative offices in Tehran. He stated: “Over the past six months, we have all witnessed the collective crimes committed by the Zionist regime against the people of Gaza and the West Bank. Furthermore, the Israeli regime has repeatedly targeted the locations and official military advisors of our country who were stationed in Syria on a mission to combat terrorism at the invitation of the Syrian government.”

 Referring to the self-restraint of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past six months and considering the regional conditions to avoid escalating tensions in the region, Amirabdollahian emphasized: “In the most recent incident, the Zionist regime initiated a terrorist and audacious act from the Golan Heights, employing F-35 fighter jets and missiles manufactured by the United States of America to target the consular section and the residence of our country’s ambassador in Damascus. This resulted in the destruction of the building and the martyrdom of seven official Iranian military advisors, each holding a diplomatic passport and engaged in an official mission to combat terrorism, along with six Syrian citizens, including a woman and her child.”

Amirabdollahian further added: “We persistently pursued avenues within the framework of legal and international protocols. In this regard, a Security Council meeting was convened upon Russia’s request. However, the efforts to issue even a minimal statement in the United Nations Security Council in condemnation of the military assault by the Zionist regime on locations and individuals possessing diplomatic immunity were thwarted by three countries: the United States, England, and France.”

  Amirabdollahian deemed the recent action undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Iran as being in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the right to legitimate defense and protection of the security and national interests of the Islamic Republic against foreign armed aggression.

 Asserting that Iran’s action was aimed at legitimate defense and retaliation against the aggressor regime of Israel, the top Iranian diplomat noted: “In this operation, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, employing precise calculations and utilizing drones and precision-guided missiles, targeted the military base of the Zionist regime and the intelligence center of this regime responsible for orchestrating operations over the past six months, including the recent assault on our country’s embassy in Damascus.”

Amirabdollahian further added: “Prior to the military response, we had communicated to our neighbors and allies that our reaction would unequivocally manifest as legitimate defense. However, we emphasize that the security of our neighbors and the stability of the region are integral to the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our objective in legitimate defense solely revolves around punishing the aggressive regime of Israel. We have no intention of fostering tension in the region. However, we have issued warnings regarding the potential utilization by the United States of the airspace and territory of these nations to bolster defense and provide biased support to Tel Aviv.”

 Amirabdollahian emphasized: “In our communication to the White House, we explicitly stated that should Washington make a miscalculation and intervene in support of the Zionist regime on the battlefield, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s response will be resolute. Furthermore, if the Israeli regime retaliates against our legitimate defense, our reaction to the Zionist regime will be swift, decisive, and far-reaching.”

 Amirabdollahian underscored: “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not advocate for the escalation of conflict in the region. However, our approach to dealing with the Zionist regime will undergo a transformation from this point onward. Should our regional interests come under threat from the Zionist regime, and an attack is launched against our interests, the response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will diverge from past actions.”