Kanaani made the comments on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran two days after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched hundreds of missiles and drones against the Israeli regime’s targets late in retaliation for the regime’s unprovoked deadly offensive on the Iranian consulate in Syria two weeks earlier.

The Iranian operation was necessary and proportionate and hit the Israeli regime’s military targets, the spokesman said, adding that the Islamic Republic had issued the necessary warnings prior to the operation and acted powerfully after the diplomatic ultimatum came to an end.

“Iran does not seek tensions in the region, is committed to international law and regulations, and will always act to punish any aggressor in order to create deterrence,” he said.

The spokesman argued that the attack was based on Iran’s inherent right to legitimate defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter in the wake of inaction by the UN Security Council and the irresponsible behavior of the US and some European countries to create deterrence against the Zionist regime.

US greenlighted Israel’s aggression: Kanaani

On messages recently exchanged between Tehran and Washington, Kanaani said that those messages were over the Israeli regime’s offensive on the Iranian diplomatic mission.  

“We believe that the Israeli regime did not dare attack the Iranian consulate if it did not have the US green light. Therefore, the US is responsible”, Kanaani argued, adding that Washington also tried to prevent Iran’s legitimate response to the Israeli regime’s attack after the Islamic Republic notified international parties of its decision.

He also noted that the US should have either specified its responsibility or taken a deterrent act against the Zionist regime.  

‘US must act logically, responsibly’

Kanaani said that other parties such as the United States and some European countries are expected to respond to Iran’s measures logically and responsibly and that they should appreciate Iran’s efforts to preserve regional stability and security instead of using illogical words and positions.

The most rational job that those governments can do is to stand alongside states that play a constructive role in creating peace and security in the region, he maintained.

The spokesman also urged European countries to appreciate Iran’s patience and self-restraint over the past months and stop standing alongside the aggressive Zionist regime.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani said that the UN Human Rights Council approved two resolutions concerning the Zionist regime, with one prohibiting arms exports to the regime and the other calling for a ceasefire, adding that Iran supports both resolutions.

On the prohibition of arms exports to the Zionist regime, Iran sees the UN Human Rights Council’s act as a positive step and yet another international recognition of the terrorist nature of the regime, he added.

Kanaani blasts UK stance on Iran’s operation

Kanaani also rebuked the UK’s stance on Iran’s operation, saying it is a pity that the British government, while indifferent to the Zionist regime’s blatant crimes and its provocative and threatening actions, considers Iran’s legitimate action in self-defense unacceptable.

Those who claim to be concerned about peace, stability, and security in the region have been indifferent to the seven months of Zionist regime’s aggression in the Palestinian territories, he noted.

The senior Iranian diplomat maintained that as long as the rights of the Palestinian people are not fulfilled and the occupation is not ended and the criminals are not prosecuted, talking about stability in the region is a “bitter joke”.

Iran committed to freedom of navigation: Kanaani

On the IRGC’s seizure of an Israeli ship, Kanaani said the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been committed to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz based on international law and regulations and has always acted within this framework.

“Based on the information I have, the seized ship belongs to the Zionist regime,” he said.

The ship was seized for violating international shipping regulations and failing to respond appropriately to Iranian authorities, he said, adding that the authorities will provide more details as necessary.

“If there had been a responsible and committed action by the international community, including the UNSC, against the atrocities of the Zionist regime over the past years, especially the last six months, we would certainly not have witnessed such an action to target the Iranian consulate,” he stated.

He added that the Islamic Republic, as it is its inherent right, conducted a punitive act against the Zionist regime due to the inaction of the UNSC.

‘Iran, Jordan enjoy friendly ties’

Also in his presser, the spokesman explained that Jordan summoned the Iranian ambassador in reaction to Iranian media reports on the Arab country’s assistance to the Israeli regime in intercepting Iranian projectiles targetting the occupied territories.

Jordan is among countries that have been affected for years by the Zionist regime’s criminal acts, Kanaani said, adding that it is appropriate that countries, including regional, Islamic and Arabic nations, voice support for Iran’s legitimate act to punish the aggressor.

The Iranian diplomat said that his country has friendly ties with Jordan, and Iranian and Jordanian ministers have had discussions over the past months on how to stop the Israeli regime’s genocide and crimes in Gaza.

Commenting on the latest developments concerning Tehran-Baku relations, Kanaani said good measures have been taken to restart the diplomatic activities of Azerbaijan in Iran, adding that good talks have also been held at the level of the two sides' presidents.

There is a common consensus that other areas of cooperation, including economic growth, political and diplomatic cooperation, between the two countries need to be boosted, the official noted.

‘US not helpful for regional security’

Asked about a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani to the United States and the importance of the withdrawal of US-led forces from Iraq and the region, Kanaani said that the records of the past decades showed the US military presence has not been a source of security anywhere in the region.

Washington’s behavior, he went on, has not been helpful for regional security nor has it been in line with the interests of the region.

The Iraqi people, government, and parliament have also expressed their desires and viewpoints over the past months and called for a timetable for the pullout of US military forces, he noted.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that Iran respects the wishes of the Iraqi people and the government, and believes that the presence of US forces does not contribute to security in the region.

On Oman’s role in the process of negotiations to lift anti-Iran sanctions, Kanaani said the Arab country has played a positive role and the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq has also put forward a proposal to this goal and pursues positive efforts within this framework.

He went on to say that obviously, one of the agendas for discussions between Iran and Oman is the issue of the negotiations to lift sanctions.

Kanaani: Iran expects IAEA chief to act professionally

Elsewhere in his presser, Kanaani said that Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has given many interviews recently, lamenting the fact that political agendas are more important for the IAEA than technical issues when it comes to Iran’s nuclear program.

Such behavior would not help him or the agency, he asserted, adding that Iran expects Grossi to act responsibly and professionally in the framework of his inherent duties.

He also said that some Western governments’ actions on Iran’s nuclear deal and their intention to sanction Iran were irresponsible.

Imposing sanctions against Iran will not be constructive and will not help advance bilateral relations, he stated.

Commenting on the holding of the Iran Expo, Kanaani said that the sixth exhibition of Iran’s export capabilities will be held in Tehran in late April this year.

The event aims to boost the prosperity of foreign trade, he added.

The exhibition is considered a comprehensive trade event on the largest scale and the most complete variety, he underlined.