IRAN is entitled to retaliate for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, the Foreign Ministry insisted today, following a call for restraint by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other west European leaders.

“Such demands lack political logic, are entirely contrary to the principles and rules of international law and represent an excessive request,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said.

In a joint statement, Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz appealed to Iran and its allies to refrain from any action that would further escalate regional tensions following the late July assassination of Mr Haniyeh and the killing of a senior Hezbollah official in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Israel is widely believed to be responsible for both attacks.