Iran FM says 'received indications' before Israeli attack

AFP , Monday 28 Oct 2024

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday he had "received indications" hours before Israel launched an attack on military sites.

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File photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a press conference in Kuwait City. AFP

 

"We had received indications since the evening about the possibility of an attack that night," Araghchi told reporters without specifying the nature of the indications.

On Saturday, Israel carried out air strikes on Iran in response to Tehran's October 1 attack, itself retaliation for Israel's killing of Hamas chief in Teheran and Hezbollah leader in Beirut and a Revolutionary Guards commander in Damascus.

Araghchi said the "necessary measures" were taken when the attack unfolded, adding that he had been in contact with military officials and that "messages were also exchanged with different parties" whom he did not name.

The foreign minister emphasised in his remarks that Tehran has the "right to respond".

US news website Axios on Saturday said Israel has "sent message to Iran" ahead of its attack and warned it "against a response".

Axios, citing anonymous sources, said the message "was an attempt to limit the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran and prevent a wider escalation".

Earlier on Sunday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran does "not seek war but we will defend the rights of our nation and country".

Pezeshkian added that Iran "will give an appropriate response to the aggression of the Zionist regime".

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