Iran Vows Calculated Response Amid Middle East Tensions

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi assured Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that Iran does not seek to escalate Middle East tensions but will respond definitively to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Iran holds Israel accountable, describing the act as a severe violation of its security and sovereignty.

In a recent statement, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi conveyed to his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, that Tehran does not aim to exacerbate Middle East tensions. The statement comes in the wake of the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Araqchi emphasized that Iran's response would be 'definite and calculated' while holding Israel responsible for the act, which he described as an 'unforgivable violation of Iran's security and sovereignty.' Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied their involvement in Haniyeh's assassination on July 31.

'Iran does not seek to increase tensions. However, it is not afraid of it,' Araqchi asserted during a phone call with Tajani, as reported by Iran's state media and foreign ministry.

(With inputs from agencies.)