During a visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that while Iran does not seek heightened tensions, it retains the right to “legitimate defense” in response to recent Israeli strikes on its military facilities. Araghchi expressed Iran’s resolve to retaliate “at a proper time and in a measured, calculated manner” against what he described as Israeli “aggression.”
The October 26 airstrikes by Israeli warplanes targeted sites that Israel claimed were part of Iran’s defense and missile production infrastructure. However, Iran refuted these claims, asserting that its missile capabilities remain unaffected. The attack followed an Iranian missile barrage on October 1, which Tehran said was a reprisal for the assassination of militant leaders and a senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Israel, in turn, issued warnings to Tehran against any counter-response, while Iranian leaders vowed to retaliate.
Araghchi’s statements came during a press conference with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who denounced Israel’s “unrestrained military aggression” and condemned the strikes on Iran as “a grave violation” of international norms. Dar further criticized Israel for what he described as “genocidal actions against civilians” and “illegal measures” in occupied territories. Pakistan’s stance aligns with its longstanding refusal to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel due to its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority over the nation’s policies, reiterated Iran’s commitment to responding to Israeli actions. Araghchi’s remarks in Islamabad underscore the intensifying strain between Iran and Israel, with Iran vowing to defend itself in what it views as legitimate countermeasures.
