Iran does not want war but will respond decisively to any aggression, says Deputy FM Gharibabadi

TEHRAN: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has said that Iran does not seek war, but any aggression against it will be met with a strong and decisive response.

He warned that if the ongoing conflict escalates further, its effects will not remain limited to Iran and West Asia.

According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Kazem Gharibabadi was addressing the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). He said Iran has always sought good relations with its neighbours.

Right to self-defence

He said Iran has the right to defend itself, to counter threats and to take necessary measures against their sources. In his words, Iran does not like war, but every aggression will be answered decisively.

The deputy foreign minister said that if the conflict continues and intensifies, the crisis will not remain confined to Iran and West Asia, and its effects could spread to other regions as well.

Gharibabadi’s statement comes at a time when tensions in the region and fears of a possible regional confrontation persist. His remarks expressed a desire for good relations with neighbouring countries, while also stressing Iran’s right to defend itself and to retaliate.