WANA (August 13) – Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed his recent phone conversation with Ali Bagheri, Iran’s acting Foreign Minister, following a prolonged call with his Iranian counterpart. Tajani stated that Iran reaffirmed its right to retaliate against the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a political leader of Hamas in Tehran, and a Hezbollah leader in Beirut.

 

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Switzerland, Tajani said, “I had a half-hour phone conversation with the acting Foreign Minister of Iran, and I once again called for moderation on Iran’s part.” He added that Bagheri responded firmly, emphasizing Iran’s right to react to attacks on its soil and its consulate in Damascus.

 

Tajani also took to his official account on X (formerly Twitter) to elaborate on the call, writing: “In a lengthy phone conversation with Iran’s acting Foreign Minister, I urged moderation and a constructive approach. Now is the time to avoid reactions that could escalate the conflict in the region and undermine efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

 

These statements from the Italian Foreign Minister come amid escalating tensions fueled by Western support for Israel, including the supply of weapons to occupied territories and backing for the Israeli regime. This support has heightened insecurity in the region and exacerbated Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.

 

Last night, the UK, Germany, and France issued a joint statement calling for Iranian restraint and urging Iran not to respond to Israeli actions.

 

In response to this statement and Western indifference to Israeli crimes and aggression in the region, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani criticized such demands, labeling them as politically illogical and inconsistent with international law. He described these requests as excessive and an open endorsement of the sources of international crimes and terrorism in the region, effectively encouraging and rewarding those responsible for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and terrorism.

 

Kanaani further stated that if these countries genuinely seek peace and stability in the region, they should take a firm stand against the warmongering and adventurism of the Israeli apartheid regime and immediately halt the war on Gaza and the horrific massacres of defenseless Palestinian women, children, and civilians.