Iran rejects calls for restraint

Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected calls for restraint in response to the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran, saying that the call by France, Germany and Britain "is not politically logical and is against international laws."

The three European countries released a statement on Monday calling on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks on Israel.

"Without any objection to the crimes of the Zionist regime (Israel), the statement of the three European countries unfairly asks Iran not to react to the violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty ," said the spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani.

On Monday, Iran's president told the British prime minister that Tehran has the right to retaliate against Israel for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and that such a response would deter further aggression in the future, the state-run news agency reported. Iranian Irna.

Meanwhile, White House National Security Adviser John Kirby warned that Israel and its allies should prepare for "a series of attacks" from Iran "within this week".

In response to rising tensions in the region, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday ordered the deployment of a missile submarine to the Middle East, as well as requesting that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier battle group sail more speed to the region,

Asked if the announcement was a message to Iran, Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder replied "absolutely yes."

"We are trying to convey the message that we are looking for a de-escalation, but we have the necessary capabilities in the region to protect the forces while supporting the defense of Israel," he said on Monday.

In addition to calling for restraint, European leaders expressed "full support" for efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal to release the hostages.

The statement also supports the latest mediation plan by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to end the 10-month Israel-Hamas war.

On Monday, Hamas said its soldiers killed an Israeli hostage and wounded two others.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for the October 7 terror attack in which Israeli authorities say 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage.

Israel's counteroffensive has killed about 40,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, while Israel says the toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters.

VOA correspondents Carla Babb and Kim Lewis contributed to this story. Some information was obtained from Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse agencies./VOA