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[Global Network reporter Li Ziyu] According to reports from Sky News, Reuters, Iran's official news agency IRNA and other media, the British Prime Minister's Office said that British Prime Minister Starmer called Iranian President Pezhichyan on the 12th local time and asked Iran not to attack Israel, saying that war is not in anyone's interest. Pezhichyan said that war anywhere in the world is not in anyone's interest, but relevant countries have the right to "take punitive responses to aggressors."

File photo of Pezehiziyan (left) and Starmer from foreign media

Sky News said the call lasted 30 minutes. Reuters mentioned that Starmer also communicated with US President Biden and European allies earlier on the 12th.

Reuters said Starmer told Pezerhiziyan that he was deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to ease the situation and avoid further escalation of regional confrontation.

Reuters quoted the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street in London as saying that "there is a serious risk of misjudgment and now is the time for calm and careful consideration." Starmer also stressed his commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and said the focus should be on diplomatic negotiations.

Reuters quoted Iran's official news agency IRNA as saying that war anywhere in the world is not in anyone's interest, but relevant countries have the right to "take a punitive response against the aggressor."

"The support of some Western countries for the 'Zionist regime' (Israel) is irresponsible and contrary to international standards, because it encourages the 'Zionist regime' to continue its crimes and endangers regional security," Pezerhiziyan told Starmer.

Reuters also mentioned that the British Prime Minister's Office said that the two leaders agreed that "constructive dialogue" is in the interests of Britain and Iran. But Starmer told Pezerhitsiyan that such dialogue can only be further promoted if Iran stops "destabilizing actions", including threats against some British people, and stops supporting Russia in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement on the 12th, calling on Iran and its allies not to launch retaliatory attacks against Israel, claiming that this was to avoid further escalation of tensions and endangering the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The Associated Press mentioned that the joint statement was signed by French President Macron, German Chancellor Scholz and British Prime Minister Starmer.

According to previous media reports, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed on July 31 that Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Hamas Political Bureau, was assassinated in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in the early hours of the same day. Hamas said that the assassination was committed by Israel and was a "cowardly act" and that Hamas would retaliate. Israel refused to respond. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei issued a statement saying that Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran and it was Iran's "responsibility" to avenge him, and Iran would impose "severe punishment" on Israel.

According to media reports, after Iran vowed to retaliate against Israel, the United States, Britain, France and other parties called on relevant parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalation of the situation. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on social media that he held talks with Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and said that any attack by Iran would have "devastating consequences" and that further escalation of the situation in the Middle East is not in anyone's interest.