Iran has submitted a formal protest to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Israeli threats to target its nuclear facilities in response to a missile attack launched by Tehran earlier this month.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaee said Monday that the protest note has been delivered to the UN nuclear watchdog, adding that the threats would be “followed up through various channels.”
Baghaee's comments came amid reports suggesting that Israel is preparing for a “major attack” on Iran in retaliation for the Oct. 1 missile strikes, which Iran said were in response to the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, and a Revolutionary Guard commander.
Speculation is also rife that Iranian nuclear sites could become potential targets of Israeli strikes.
Baghaee emphasized that Iran's stance is “very clear,” reiterating that “any provocation by the Zionist regime will be met with a decisive response.”
He said Tehran has communicated to the United Nations and other international bodies that its attack on Israel was conducted “within the framework of the right to self-defense.”
He also addressed concerns about the deployment of US anti-missile defense systems in the region, warning that such a move would “pose a threat” to Israel.
The Iranian spokesman expressed satisfaction that regional countries have “reached an understanding that maintaining peace and security in the region is a shared responsibility,” adding that these nations “will never allow their soil to be used for aggression against any other country in the region.”
By Syed Zafar Mehdi in Tehran, Iran
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr