Iran today rejected Western countries’ demands to withdraw its threats against Israel, saying it is not seeking “permission” to retaliate against its enemy.which he accuses of having assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on his soil.
“The Islamic Republic is determined to defend its sovereignty… and does not ask anyone for permission to exercise its legitimate rights,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a press release.
Blinken pushes for Hamas to join talks
In a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan this morning, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the importance of Hamas attending Thursday’s summit for a ceasefire deal, the State Department says. The Times of Israel reports.
Hamas announced two days ago that it would not participate, asking mediators to persuade Israel to accept the updated proposal presented in July. An offer that saw Hamas relent on its demand that Israel commit to a permanent ceasefire. Hamas officials are legal residents of Turkey.