Iran criticises European call for restraint

Iran's foreign ministry said the joint British, French and German call for de-escalation in the region "lack political logic and contradict principles of international law".

The joint statement had called on Iran and its allies to refrain from carrying out attacks on Israel that would escalate tensions.

Iran is expected to retaliate for Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, while Hezbollah is expected to respond to Israel's assassination of top commander Fuad Shukr near Beirut.

"Without any objection to the crimes of the Zionist regime [Israel], the E3 [France, Germany, UK] statement impudently requires Iran not to respond to a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said.

Kanaani called on the three countries to "once and for all stand up against the war in Gaza and the warmongering of Israel".