president-raisi-warns-of-painful-response-to-actions-against-iran

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi issued a firm warning against actions that undermine Iran's interests, stating that they would be met with a "painful response".

 

This declaration came during a telephone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The discussion highlighted the ongoing struggles in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Gaza.

 

President Raisi expressed strong condemnation of the recent terrorist attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus, labelling it a desperate act by Israel following its failures in Gaza.

 

He criticised the United Nations and the UN Security Council for their failure to denounce the attack, underscoring Iran's right to legitimate defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

 

Raisi emphasised the need for Islamic countries to implement deterrent measures against Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling for a unified stance to halt what he described as genocidal crimes supported by the United States and some Western nations.

 

In response, Emir Hamad Al Thani underscored the robust relationship between Iran and Qatar, echoing support for Iran’s position and commending Qatar's efforts to publicly denounce Israel’s aggressive actions.

 

He noted a significant global and popular convergence in support of the Palestinian cause, accusing Israel of attempting to distract international attention from its actions by escalating tensions in Gaza.

 

The dialogue between Iran and Qatar comes at a critical time as tensions in the region escalate following a series of retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israel. These included a notable drone and missile attack, marking the first instance of direct military action from Iranian territory towards Israel. This assault was reportedly in retaliation to a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate earlier this month.

 

Amid these developments, Israel’s war cabinet is set to meet to deliberate on its next steps. This meeting, the fifth since the escalation, highlights the intense strategic calculations on both sides, pointing to a potentially prolonged conflict that could have broader implications for regional stability and international relations.