Tehran, Iran - April 22, 2024

Storyline:
Iran's retaliation against Israel complies with international law, and the United States' approval of a new military aid bill to Israel is regrettable, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday.

Kanaani made the remarks while commenting on Iran's massive retaliatory military operation against Israel lately, which was carried out in response to a deadly Israeli strike against the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.

Kanaani said that after Israel attacked Iran's diplomatic institution, Iran tried to prosecute Israel within the framework of international laws and regulations. Unfortunately, due to the U.S. and some other Western countries' unconstructive intervention, the United Nations failed to fulfill its obligations. Therefore, Iran took necessary military deterrence against Israel based on its legitimate rights.

He emphasized that Israel, which is supported by Western countries, has committed many crimes in the Middle East, which is the main factor leading to regional instability.

Kanaani said that the presence of foreign military forces will not contribute to regional peace and security, and any strengthening of militarism will complicate the regional security situation and harm the peace process.

Noting that the U.S. government's recent approval of military aid to Israel is regrettable, the spokesman stressed that the U.S. government ignored the deaths of tens of thousands of Gaza people and fully supported Israel, which should be criticized and condemned by the international community.

Iranian public opinion generally believes that the direct conflict and confrontation between Iran and Israel for some time has shown signs of gradually easing, but the conflict between pro-Iranian armed forces in the region and Israel has intensified.

Iran has repeatedly emphasized that the root cause of the current regional crisis lies in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Only when Israel stops its military operations in the Gaza Strip can the regional crisis be alleviated.

Shotlist:
Tehran, Iran - April 22, 2024:
1. Various of press briefing of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in progress;
2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Nasser Kanaani, spokesman, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"I cannot confirm whether the conflict between Iran and Israel is over. Iran has responded legally, compliantly and in a deterrent manner to Israel's illegal aggression in violating international laws and regulations and attacking Iranian diplomatic institution. After the operation, Iran immediately announced that it had ended its military operations. But if Israel makes another mistake, Iran will make a harsher response.";
3. Various of press briefing in progress;
4. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Nasser Kanaani, spokesman, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (partially overlaid with shot 5):
"Without unlimited and unconditional aid from the United States, Israel would not be able to continue its war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for even one day. Providing massive financial and military aid to Israel is nothing more than a reward from the U.S. government for a criminal regime.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
5. Press briefing in progress, cameramen;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
Jerusalem - April 14, 2024:
6. Various of missiles in flight over buildings;
FILE: Tehran, Iran - Date Unknown:
7. Various of Iranian national flags, traffic;
FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021:
8. National flag of Israel;
FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022:
9. Building of Israeli Parliament Knesset.

[RESTRICTIONS: No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]