Iranian FM & EU Foreign Policy Chief Discuss Retaliatory Attack

April 15, 2024 Hour: 7:19 am

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell exchanged views on Iran’s retaliatory military operation against Israel.

RELATED:

Was Entirely an Inherent Right of Self Defense, Iran on UNSC

In a phone call, Amir-Abdollahian said Israel’s repeated aggressions, including its recent deadly attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, were a flagrant violation of the Vienna conventions and Iran’s red line.

He blamed the United Nations and the Security Council for their inaction towards the Israeli attack, stressing that Iran had no other choice but to punish Israel within the framework of its legitimate right to self-defense.

They also discussed other important regional and international issues of common interest, such as the continuation of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

#StatecraftInTheNews: (1/6) On Sunday, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar talked to his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and took up the release of 17 Indian crew members on board the Israel-linked container MSC Aries captured by Iran on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/F2tdz9M174

— Statecraft (@statecraftdaily)
April 15, 2024

On Saturday night, Iran launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israel, after which Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps announced that the operation successfully hit and destroyed important Israeli military targets.

Following the completion of the operation, Iran sent a message that it deemed the issue concluded, Amir-Abdollahian said, reiterating that, however, if Israel would take countermeasures, Iran’s response would be “immediate, extensive and maximal.”

He also expressed hope that the EU would implement an efficient and effective initiative to end the “genocide” in Gaza, guaranteeing that Iran would contribute to the success of such an initiative.

Borrell said Iran’s military response to the Israeli attack was expected, expressing satisfaction that Tehran considered the operation concluded. As for the EU’s statement slamming the Israeli attack against the Iranian consulate, he said the bloc condemned the move as it violated the relevant Vienna conventions.

The EU representative added that the European Union was making diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis in Gaza and end the suffering of people in the Palestinian coastal enclave, requesting Iran to contribute to such efforts while exercising restraint.

– More than 50 Iranian drones have been launched towards #Israel

– It would be established for several hours before reaching Israeli airspace

– Israeli military and air defenses on high alert

– First direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory

Via @CGTNOfficial #Iran pic.twitter.com/MdQCiivnmH

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)
April 13, 2024