Latest news with #selfdefence
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran's response to Israeli strikes a 'matter of principle', ambassador to UK says
Iran's response to Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities is "self-defence" and a "matter of principle", the Iranian ambassador to the UK has told Sky News. Speaking to The World With Yalda Hakim, Seyed Ali Mousavi said the "barbaric Israeli regime" is "violating international law" - describing Israel's actions in recent days as "an act of aggression against the Iranian people". The conflict between Israel and Iran - once played out in a series of proxy wars - has escalated in the past three Friday morning, explosions hit Tehran as Israel carried out a major attack on its top army leaders, nuclear sites, and nuclear scientists. Iran threatened "severe punishment" and quickly retaliated with a wave of missiles. When questioned about whether Iran could continue fighting Israel, the Iranian ambassador told Yalda Hakim that "it is a matter of principle". He said: "This is about self-defence, there is no doubt about it. "We are a responsible member state of the UN and we do all activities according to our international obligations. "Any activities are only in the framework of self-defence." He added that his country would "do our best to preserve our territorial integrity", and that "with the help of God", Iran will "materialise endeavours concretely against our enemy - the Israeli regime". Mr Mousavi also told Hakim that Iran's nuclear activities are "monitored", and that recent comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were "politically motivated". Read more here: The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors found Iran was not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran said it has "always adhered" to the safeguarding obligations laid down by the watchdog. Announcing Operation Rising Lion on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran had recently taken steps to weaponise enriched uranium, which could be used to make nuclear weapons. But Mr Mousavi stressed that Iran's "peaceful activities" at its "nuclear fields" were only for the "generation of electricity, and other peaceful" things. Iran was due to continue its round of negotiations with the US in Muscat - however, this was cancelled, given recent tensions.
Sky News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Iran's response to Israeli strikes a 'matter of principle', ambassador to UK says
Why you can trust Sky News Iran's response to Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities is "self-defence" and a "matter of principle", the Iranian ambassador to the UK has told Sky News. Speaking to The World With Yalda Hakim, Seyed Ali Mousavi said the "barbaric Israeli regime" is "violating international law" - describing Israel's actions in recent days as "an act of aggression against the Iranian people". The conflict between Israel and Iran - once played out in a series of proxy wars - has escalated in the past three days. 1:42 On Friday morning, explosions hit Tehran as Israel carried out a major attack on its top army leaders, nuclear sites, and nuclear scientists. Iran threatened "severe punishment" and quickly retaliated with a wave of missiles. 0:18 0:31 When questioned about whether Iran could continue fighting Israel, the Iranian ambassador told Yalda Hakim that "it is a matter of principle". He said: "This is about self-defence, there is no doubt about it. "We are a responsible member state of the UN and we do all activities according to our international obligations. "Any activities are only in the framework of self-defence." He added that his country would "do our best to preserve our territorial integrity", and that "with the help of God", Iran will "materialise endeavours concretely against our enemy - the Israeli regime". Mr Mousavi also told Hakim that Iran's nuclear activities are "monitored", and that recent comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were "politically motivated". 0:58 The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors found Iran was not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran said it has "always adhered" to the safeguarding obligations laid down by the watchdog. 15:10 Announcing Operation Rising Lion on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran had recently taken steps to weaponise enriched uranium, which could be used to make nuclear weapons. But Mr Mousavi stressed that Iran's "peaceful activities" at its "nuclear fields" were only for the "generation of electricity, and other peaceful" things. Iran was due to continue its round of negotiations with the US in Muscat - however, this was cancelled, given recent tensions.
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Iran defends its second barrage of missiles at Israel as self-defence
Iran defends its second barrage of missiles at Israel as self-defence NewsFeed Iran defends its second barrage of missiles at Israel as self-defence Iran's government has defended its retaliatory attacks on Israel as 'self-defence' after launching a second barrage of missiles on Saturday night. Iran's strikes came after Israel's military bombed civilian areas and energy infrastructure across Iran, saying it was targeting Iran's nuclear programme.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Starmer stresses Israel's 'right to self-defence' after strikes
Sir Keir Starmer moved to ease tensions with Israel today stressing its 'right to self-defence' after strikes on Iran. But the PM urged a 'diplomatic' solution to rising fears about Tehran developing nuclear weapons as he called a Cobra emergency meeting this afternoon. Operation Rising Lion, involving more than 200 Israeli jets, targeted a facility in Natanz and the capital overnight - sparking alarm at the potential for an all-out war. The US was told in advance that the raids were coming, but the UK was not given any notice amid rising tensions over Gaza . In a call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, Downing Street said Sir Keir was 'clear that Israel has a right to self-defence and set out the UK's grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme'. But a No10 spokesperson added the PM had also 'reiterated the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region' in his call with Mr Netanyahu. Earlier, in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Sir Keir said a 'diplomatic resolution, rather than military action was the way forward'. Asked in an interview with Bloomberg News on Friday whether Israel was justified in its action, the PM said: 'I'm very concerned about the situation that is developing. 'It's obvious that for a long time we've had grave concerns about the nuclear programme that Iran is putting together and we absolutely recognise Israel's right to self-defence.' Kemi Badenoch has insisted Israel should be supported for stopping Iran getting nuclear weapons . The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism. While urging 'de-escalation', she swiped that the government should not be 'confused about whose side we're on', saying the regime developing such weapons of mass destruction would be 'catastrophic'. The US has stressed it was not involved in the strikes, but Donald Trump has said the regime must do a nuclear deal to avoid further action. Oil prices have surged on concerns about fresh turmoil. There are claims Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami was killed in the strikes. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response. Sir Keir declined to comment on whether the UK would help Israel fend off any retaliation from Iran. Earlier Sir Keir said he would ' urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently'. 'Escalation serves no-one in the region,' he said. 'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.' The strikes appear to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has postponed a trip to the US amid the crisis, said stability in the Middle East was 'vital' for global security. 'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X. 'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.' But on a visit to Scotland today Mrs Badenoch said: 'Iran is an enemy of the UK… we do not want Iran gaining nuclear weapons. 'If Israel is stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons they should not be condemned for that. That would be something I support.' The Tory leader dismissed the idea that Israel's actions were an escalation. 'I do not understand why this would be seen as an escalation. If Iran is about to acquire nuclear weapons, that is the real escalation. I mean, that would be catastrophic,' she said. She added: 'If Israel sees Iran getting nuclear weapons, I don't think it should sit back and put its feet up and say: 'Well, we're de-escalating'. 'Because the person, the country, that will escalate is Iran, and that would be absolutely disastrous for the entire world.' Asked whether she thought the UK should be helping Israel to defend against Iranian retaliation, she said: 'I don't know why the Government has chosen not to be supportive. 'There will be security details that I'm not familiar with, but we have supported them before, in you know, defending themselves against strikes from Iran. 'But let's, let's just remember that Iran tried to carry out a terrorist attack on UK soil. 'This is not an area where we should be confused about whose side we're on, and we can't just assume that warm words are going to stop Iran from doing something that will destroy our way of life.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning that the 'operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat'. In a clip posted on social media, Mr Netanyahu said that Israel 'struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme' and 'the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme'. Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Hossein Salami was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Starmer tries to ease tensions with Israel stressing 'right to self-defence' after Iran strikes - but urges 'diplomatic' solution to Tehran's nuclear weapons drive
Keir Starmer moved to ease tensions with Israel today stressing its 'right to self-defence' after strikes on Iran. But the PM urged a 'diplomatic' solution to rising fears about Tehran developing nuclear weapons as he called a Cobra emergency meeting this afternoon. Operation Rising Lion, involving more than 200 Israeli jets, targeted a facility in Natanz and the capital overnight - sparking alarm at the potential for an all-out war. The US was told in advance that the raids were coming, but the UK was not given any notice amid rising tensions over Gaza. In a call with Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the premier said a 'diplomatic resolution, rather than military action was the way forward'. Asked in an interview with Bloomberg News whether Israel was justified in its action, Sir Keir said: 'I'm very concerned about the situation that is developing. 'It's obvious that for a long time we've had grave concerns about the nuclear programme that Iran is putting together and we absolutely recognise Israel's right to self-defence.' Kemi Badenoch has insisted Israel should be supported for stopping Iran getting nuclear weapons. The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism. While urging 'de-escalation', she swiped that the government should not be 'confused about whose side we're on', saying the regime developing such weapons of mass destruction would be 'catastrophic'. The US has stressed it was not involved in the strikes, but Donald Trump has said the regime must do a nuclear deal to avoid further action. Oil prices have surged on concerns about fresh turmoil. The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism Keir Starmer pleaded for calm after the strikes on Iran sparked fears over all-out war There are claims Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami was killed in the strikes. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response. Sir Keir declined to comment on whether the UK would help Israel fend off any retaliation from Iran. Earlier Sir Keir said he would 'urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently'. 'Escalation serves no-one in the region,' he said. 'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.' The strikes appear to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has postponed a trip to the US amid the crisis, said stability in the Middle East was 'vital' for global security. 'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X. 'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.' But on a visit to Scotland today Mrs Badenoch said: 'Iran is an enemy of the UK… we do not want Iran gaining nuclear weapons. 'If Israel is stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons they should not be condemned for that. That would be something I support.' The Tory leader dismissed the idea that Israel's actions were an escalation. 'I do not understand why this would be seen as an escalation. If Iran is about to acquire nuclear weapons, that is the real escalation. I mean, that would be catastrophic,' she said. She added: 'If Israel sees Iran getting nuclear weapons, I don't think it should sit back and put its feet up and say: 'Well, we're de-escalating'. 'Because the person, the country, that will escalate is Iran, and that would be absolutely disastrous for the entire world.' Asked whether she thought the UK should be helping Israel to defend against Iranian retaliation, she said: 'I don't know why the Government has chosen not to be supportive. 'There will be security details that I'm not familiar with, but we have supported them before, in you know, defending themselves against strikes from Iran. 'But let's, let's just remember that Iran tried to carry out a terrorist attack on UK soil. 'This is not an area where we should be confused about whose side we're on, and we can't just assume that warm words are going to stop Iran from doing something that will destroy our way of life.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning that the 'operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat'. In a clip posted on social media, Mr Netanyahu said that Israel 'struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme' and 'the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme'. Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Hossein Salami was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri. Industry minister Sarah Jones told Sky News the UK Government is 'doing everything we can to urge restraint and to try and de-escalate the situation'. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel acted unilaterally.
