Iran dismisses Arab League’s statement, says won’t hesitate to punish criminals

Iran has dismissed the latest Arab League statement about a missile strike that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) carried out against a target affiliated with the Israeli Mossad agency in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, stressing that the Islamic Republic has no hesitation in punishing criminals.

“The Islamic Republic’s action was taken in accordance with the legitimate right to counter terrorist elements affiliated with the Zionist regime in Erbil, Iraq, who had threatened and endangered Iran’s national security and that of its citizens," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani in a statement on Friday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to take deterrent measures against the sources of threat to its national security, defend the security of its citizens and punish criminals,” he added.

Kan’ani stated that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq in addition to the principle of good neighborliness are among the established and proven fundamentals of Tehran’s diplomatic relations with Baghdad.

The diplomat went on to cite his country’s responsible approach to protecting Iraq’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, recalling how the Islamic Republic stood firmly in the past years by the Iraqi government, nation and armed forces, especially ever since Daesh and other Takfiri groups launched their terrorist attacks across the West Asian country.

“The Iraqi government is expected to stand committed to the security agreement signed between the two countries last year, and to fully implement its provisions,” Kan’ani stressed.

He described the relationship between Iran and Iraq as "strong" and "comprehensive", anchored in common interests and mutual expediencies as well as unbreakable bonds between the two nations.

“The Arab League is, therefore, expected to utilize its political, legal and international efforts and weight to stop the Israeli regime’s barbaric attacks and genocide in the Gaza Strip, end the 75-year-long occupation of Palestinian lands and support its oppressed nation,” Kan’ani pointed out.

SS