'Israel crossed a red line': Iran FM rallies Russian, Islamic counterparts

Bagheri emphasized "that the Zionist regime has crossed the red line" and said that the "Islamic Republic of Iran has a legitimate right to defend itself."

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated: AUGUST 2, 2024 05:03
RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER Sergei Lavrov and Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani shake hands during a meeting of a BRICS group of foreign ministers, in Russia, last week. The threats to Israel from Iran and Hezbollah are also threats to the US, says the writer. (photo credit: MAXIM SHEMETOV/REUTERS)
RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER Sergei Lavrov and Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani shake hands during a meeting of a BRICS group of foreign ministers, in Russia, last week. The threats to Israel from Iran and Hezbollah are also threats to the US, says the writer.
(photo credit: MAXIM SHEMETOV/REUTERS)

Acting Iranian foreign minister Ali Bagheri held conversations about the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh with his counterpart in Russia, as well as in Arab countries on Thursday, the ministry announced on X. 

According to the ministry's Twitter account, Bagheri emphasized "that the Zionist regime has crossed the red line" and said that the "Islamic Republic of Iran has a legitimate right to defend itself" in a phone call with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

Bagheri also thanked Russia for its support, and asked for continued cooperation between the two in stopping "the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov poses for a group photo with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Moscow, Russia November 21, 2023. Also pictured: P (credit: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/REUTERS)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov poses for a group photo with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Moscow, Russia November 21, 2023. Also pictured: P (credit: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/REUTERS)

Bagheri also posted on his X that he had spoken with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Oman, Jordan, Russia, Algeria and the Secretary General of the United Nations and the European Union foreign policy official.

He requested to hold an "emergency meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in order to investigate [the assassination] and make Israel accountable for the crimes committed."

Calls for UN Security Council Meeting

In a conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Bagheri requested an emergency meeting with the UN security council. Guterres told Bagheri that he condemned Israel's killing of Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr and allegedly said that "Iran has the right to legitimate defense and self-defense according to international law."

However, Guterres reportedly expressed concern about the the possibility of a "full-scale war in Lebanon and its effects and consequences."



Related Tags
Iran
Islamists
Iran Conflict
russia iran
Antonio Guterres
Sergey Lavrov
UN Security Council