ISLAMABAD —
Iran’s chief diplomat said Tuesday that Tehran opposes military escalation in the region but “will certainly respond” to the deadly Oct. 26 strike by Israel against his country.
During an official visit to neighboring Pakistan, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the Israeli attack on Iranian military bases and other installations, resulting in the deaths of at least five people, mostly security personnel.
“Unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation. However, we reserve our inherent right to legitimate defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter,” he told a joint news conference in Islamabad with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar.
“We would certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner in a very measured and well-calculated manner,” Araghchi said without elaborating further.
Israeli warplanes conducted the October 26 strikes, saying they were in retaliation for Tehran’s missile barrage on October 1. Iran described its military action as a response to the killing of militant leaders backed by Tehran and a commander from the Revolutionary Guards.
On Sunday, Iranian state media quoted President Masoud Pezeshkian as saying that a potential cease-fire between its regional allies and Israel “could affect the intensity and type of” Iran’s response to the Israeli attack.
Dar stated Tuesday that during discussions with his Iranian counterpart, both sides condemned the “unrestrained Israeli aggression” in the Middle East and emphasized the urgent need for a “cease-fire” and “de-escalation.”
Gas pipeline
Araghchi said that during his meetings in Islamabad, he also stressed the need to boost political, economic, commercial, and energy cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. He described terrorism as a mutual threat for both countries and urged enhanced cooperation.
The two foreign ministers did not discuss the status of a long-stalled multi-billion-dollar pipeline, though, intended to export Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan.
The United States is opposed to the project as a violation of its sanctions on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
