Rejection of Request from Three European Countries; Iran Says 'Retaliatory Action' Against Israel is Certain

Officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have rejected the request from France, Germany, and Britain for restraint towards Israel, deeming action against Israel as certain. Ali Bagheri Kani, the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday, August 23, referred to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as a 'violation of Iran's national security and territorial integrity' and stated that it is Iran's 'legitimate and legal right' to take 'retaliatory action' against Israel. He further emphasized that Iran will 'certainly' exercise this right to act, but did not provide further details. Earlier, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the statement from the three European countries 'shamelessly requests the Islamic Republic of Iran to refrain from punitive and deterrent action' against Israel, which has 'violated our sovereignty and territorial integrity.' Nasser Kanaani claimed that 'such requests lack political logic, are completely contrary to the principles and rules of international law, and are an excessive demand.' The Islamic Republic of Iran has attributed the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, who was killed on August 1 after attending the inauguration of the new president at his special residence in northern Tehran, to Israel, and Ali Khamenei has promised 'blood vengeance.' The European Union and the United States consider the extremist group Hamas a terrorist organization. Kanaani's remarks were a response to a statement made on Monday by the leaders of France, Germany, and Britain calling on Iran to refrain from escalating the crisis. Hours after this statement, the leaders of the three European powers, along with the U.S. President and the Italian Prime Minister, issued another statement urging Tehran to abandon its threats against Israel and emphasized their governments' support for Israel. The three European countries called for Iran to refrain from attacking Israel; Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain also emphasized in separate phone calls with Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian on Monday the necessity of preventing a regional war, which would also have detrimental consequences for Iran. Almost simultaneously with Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran, Fawad Shukr, a senior military commander of Hezbollah Lebanon, was also killed in an Israeli army attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut, and Hezbollah has promised to carry out extensive and effective operations against Israel. Without accepting responsibility for the operation that killed Haniyeh, Israel has been preparing in recent weeks for a potential attack from the Iranian government, and by accepting responsibility for killing Fawad Shukr, it has warned Hezbollah of the consequences of a large-scale attack in Israel. In the past two weeks, during which this crisis has unfolded, the United States has emphasized its defense of Israel against any potential Iranian attack by deploying the most military equipment, including warships, a nuclear-capable submarine, and advanced F-22 fighters in various countries in the region where it has bases, as well as in regional waters. The White House also announced on Monday that Iran may carry out a 'significant' retaliatory attack against Israel during this week, and recent public messages from the U.S. have been aimed at warning Iran that the U.S. will use its military capabilities to defend Israel. A U.S. official also told ABC on Tuesday that the recent deployment of the USS Georgia submarine and 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles in the region for land attack is a 'strong message' to Iran regarding its 'meaningful offensive capability.' In this context, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is 'decisive and determined' in 'defending its sovereignty and national security' and 'creating deterrence' against Israel and 'does not seek permission from anyone.' On the Israeli side, the country's defense minister warned on Monday that any potential action by the Iranian government and Hezbollah Lebanon against Israel will face a response from Israel that has not been seen before. Israeli Army Radio reported on Tuesday that Israel has explicitly told its friendly countries that any action by Iran, regardless of the extent of damage it may cause to Israel and its people, will be met with decisive operations by Israel within Iran. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, also stated on Monday night in a press conference that his country will take 'any necessary action' in self-defense. He did not provide details regarding potential military operations in Iran in response to possible upcoming attacks from Iran but stated that necessary decisions have been made and will be implemented. According to Israeli Army Radio, military readiness in Israel continued on Tuesday, with Air Force pilots having all their leaves canceled, waiting in their squadrons for necessary orders to confront any potential situation. The Israeli security-political cabinet held a multi-hour meeting on Monday with military commanders and intelligence and security agencies regarding the potential worsening of the situation, and prior to that, the Prime Minister and Defense Minister attended a meeting of the Knesset's National Security Committee and reported to the Knesset. Concerns about the outbreak of a broader war in the region come as the Gaza war has been ongoing for 312 days, and attention is focused on a meeting scheduled for this Thursday in the capitals of Egypt or Qatar with the participation of heads of security agencies to achieve a ceasefire. The extremist group Hamas has not yet provided a clear response regarding its participation in the new negotiations, only stating that instead of further negotiations, the plan announced by the U.S. President three months ago should be the basis for the work path. In the meantime, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the next U.S. presidential election, stated on Monday in an interview conducted by Elon Musk, the owner of the X network, that the Middle East is in a situation that has the potential to turn into World War III. The former U.S. President also said, 'If I were President, Israel would not be attacked, and now everyone is waiting for an Iranian attack on Israel, but the Iranians will not attack, believe me.' Mr. Trump also stated that a potential Iranian attack could 'wipe out' Israel, adding that during his presidency, Iran was a bankrupt and weak government that did not have much money to support Hezbollah and its other proxies. He also mentioned that when he returns to power, he will expel immigrants from countries that attack Israel from the U.S.