Iran warns of stronger retaliation to Israeli actions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a strong response from Tehran to any further Israeli actions against it and sought to rally Asian countries to its side as he visited Qatar.

Pezeshkian arrived in Qatar a day after Iran fired waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, and Israel stepped up its war with Tehran's proxy Hezbollah by sending troops over the border into Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would strike back at Iran following Tuesday's missile attack.

At a joint press conference in Doha with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Pezeshkian said that if Israel acts in one way against Iran then Tehran will respond in a more severe way.

The United States and European countries should tell Israel not to destabilize the region, Pezeshkian added.

The Qatari emir told the press conference that Doha would continue its mediation efforts to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, now nearly a year old. Qatar and other international mediators have been working on a ceasefire agreement for Gaza but the talks have stalled.

Pezeshkian also touched on tensions in the region, saying the region can’t achieve development through war.

“The security of the region is the security of all Muslims. Since I was elected president, I have been striving for peace and tranquility. No country has achieved development through war,” he said.

The Qatari Emir said they support regional and international efforts to reduce tensions and protect peace and security in the region.  

“In recent days, we have warned about increasing tensions in Lebanon. The occupying regime must stop its oppressive war on Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Mediation is our strategic option.”

Sheikh Tamim said they will continue their mediation efforts aimed at stopping the genocidal campaign in Gaza and securing the release of the captives.

The Iranian president will also attend a summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue nations in Doha.