Tajani says Iran reaffirmed its right to react

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 12 - Iran has reaffirmed its right to react to last month's assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and of a Hezbollah leader in Beirut, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said after a long phone call with his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagher, in which he urged restraint in attacking Israel so as to avert jeopardising Mideast peace hopes.
    "I had a half-hour conversation on the phone with Iran's foreign minister to whom I reiterated my call for caution," Tajani told journalists in Locarno at the end of the call, made while he is on a visit to Switzerland.
    "On the part of the Iranian minister in response there was a firm position: he reiterated Iran's right to react for the attack on Iranian territory and the consulate in Damascus.
    "We have stressed that stability in the Middle East is fundamental for everyone, I hope that our call for moderation will be heard." (ANSA).