President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday vowed that Iran will respond forcefully if Israel retaliates.
Pezeshkian who spoke on Wednesday while reaffirming Iran’s non-aggressive stance.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha alongside Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Pezeshkian held Israel responsible for provoking Iran’s actions.
“If Israel reacts, we will hit back harder. The Islamic Republic stands firm on this,” Pezeshkian said.
He issued the warning a day after Iran fired around 200 missiles, including hypersonic ones, toward Israel.
Though Israel intercepted most of the missiles, some caused damage, including a hit on a school, with two civilians injured by shrapnel.
Pezeshkian accused Israel of destabilizing the region and called on the US and Europe to intervene, urging them to push Israel to stop the bloodshed.
“The Zionist regime is driving the region toward crisis and insecurity,” he stressed.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim, also condemned Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon and its ongoing attacks on Gaza.
He warned that Israel is pushing the region to the brink and reiterated Qatar’s commitment to brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.