Iran’s foreign minister tells French, British counterparts it has right to retaliate against Israel

Iran's newly appointed foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, informed his French and British counterparts in phone conversations that Iran reserves the right to retaliate against Israel for the recent assassination of a Hamas official in Tehran, according to the official Irna news agency.

Iran holds Israel responsible for the 31 July assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, with Araghchi calling it "an unforgivable violation of Iran’s security and sovereignty" and stating that "punishing the aggressor is Iran’s right".

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Haniyeh's death.

The calls from France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy were originally made to congratulate Araghchi on his recent appointment.