Iran’s foreign minister sharply criticized the United Kingdom on Monday for its strong support of Israel amid ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, describing British backing as irresponsible despite what he characterized as Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. In a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Hossein Amir Abdollahian condemned the UK for prioritizing concerns about Iran’s response to Israeli strikes on Iranian diplomatic sites in Damascus, while allegedly overlooking the extensive bombing of Palestinian homes by Israeli forces over the past six months.
Amir Abdollahian defended Iran’s recent military operation, dubbed "Operation Truthful Promise," as a lawful act of self-defense under the United Nations Charter. The operation was launched in retaliation for the April 1 attack on the consular section of Iran’s embassy in Damascus, which killed five Iranian officers, including Brigadier General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Brigadier Generals Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Reza Zahedi.
In response, the IRGC targeted Israeli-occupied territories on Saturday night with a series of drone and missile strikes, reportedly causing damage to several Israeli military installations. The extent of damage to Israeli military infrastructure remains unclear.
Amir Abdollahian emphasized that while Iran does not seek to escalate regional tensions, it warned that any further provocations by Israel would prompt an immediate, stronger, and more extensive response.
On the British side, Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed deep concern over the heightened tensions following Iran’s retaliatory strike. Cameron described Iran’s military actions as highly troubling and warned that continued confrontations could worsen the situation in an already volatile region. He also indicated that Britain would urge Israel to refrain from further military actions to avoid exacerbating the conflict.
The exchange highlights ongoing diplomatic friction between Iran, Israel, and their respective international partners amid sustained violence in the region. Both sides have underscored their positions: Iran asserting its right to self-defense following the Damascus attack, and Britain advocating de-escalation to prevent further destabilization.