Iran: Does not want regional escalation but must "punish" Israel

​Iran's Foreign Ministry said it does not want to raise tensions in the region, but needs to "punish" Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, as a deterrent to prevent Israel from carrying out similar actions and expanding the regional conflict.

"Stability and security in the region will be strengthened by punishing the aggressor and deterring Israel and its adventurism," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Qani told reporters in Tehran on Monday (August 5), Reuters and Bloomberg reported.

Kanani stressed that a counterattack by Tehran would be "inevitable". He added that the Iranian regime has the right to punish Israel within the framework of international law, but does not want to increase tensions in the Middle East.

Iran and the militant groups it controls have vowed to retaliate against Israel following the killings of Hezbollah military commander Ahmed Shukur and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Representatives of Iran and armed groups will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss follow-up countermeasures in response to Haniyeh's assassination.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel is engaged in a "multi-front war against the Iranian axis of evil." "We are hitting every one of its weapons with great force... We are ready for any situation, offensively or defensively."

The United States has sent more warships and warplanes to the region and urged Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas. The United States and Middle Eastern countries believe that ending the Israeli-Kazakh conflict will help ease tensions in the region.