Iran has pledged to respond to Israel's recent strikes on the country, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals, while emphasizing that it does not desire a broader conflict. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is committed to defending its people and nation's rights and will provide an appropriate response to what it perceives as Israeli aggression.
Despite the strong rhetoric, Iranian officials have reiterated that they are not actively seeking war. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran will react to any Israeli aggression at the right moment.
Israel, on the other hand, has defended its actions, stating that the strikes targeted military installations in response to previous Iranian attacks. Israel's military chief, Herzi Halevi, warned that any threats against the country would be met with a military response, underscoring Israel's readiness for all possible scenarios.
Following the strikes, Israel initially maintained a restrained public stance to allow Iran the opportunity to de-escalate the situation. Iran, in turn, downplayed the impact of the strikes, highlighting limited damage at military sites while acknowledging casualties among its personnel.
The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary has engaged with Israeli and Iranian officials, advocating for a reduction in tensions and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
