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‘Significant attack’
In a post on X, the Iranian minister said he had told them that “when the Zionist regime breaches the immunity of diplomatic persons and places” and the UN Security Council fails to condemn it, “legitimate defence… is a necessity”.
He added that “Iran does not seek to expand the scope of the war.”
United States President Joe Biden had on Wednesday said Iran is “threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel,” and pledged “ironclad” support for Washington’s top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel’s military conduct in Gaza.
US Central Command chief, General Michael Kurilla, was in Israel on Thursday to discuss the situation with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the Pentagon said.
France on Friday warned its nationals against travelling to Iran, Israel, Lebanon or the Palestinian territories, after the US embassy in Israel announced it was restricting the movements of its diplomats over security fears.
Moscow and Berlin urged restraint.
German airline Lufthansa extended a temporary suspension of flights to and from Tehran until Saturday.
In their October attack, Hamas militants seized about 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli army says are dead.
Netanyahu leads a coalition including religious and ultra-nationalist parties, and is under pressure from anti-government protesters and relatives of the hostages demanding the government get them home.
Tens of thousands have taken to the streets.
On Thursday night, hundreds demonstrated near Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence with a different call — for the war to continue.
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