Tehran (IP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the crises in West Asia have their roots in the Israeli regime's destructive role in the region.

Iran PressIran news: Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday, their second conversation since Iran launched an unprecedented retaliatory airstrike against the Israeli regime in the early hours of Sunday.

He said the operation was in line with Iran's "legitimate defense" and carried out with the aim of punishing the Israeli regime for the April 1 attack on its diplomatic mission in Syria, which killed two senior military commanders and five other officers.

Amir-Abdollahian expressed astonishment at the United Kingdom's extensive support for the Israeli regime as it continues to massacre innocent people in Gaza.

"It is surprising that while over the past six months, several thousand tons of bombs have been dropped on the oppressed people of Gaza, the UK is concerned about the Islamic Republic of Iran's response to the brutal attacks of the Israeli regime against its diplomatic facilities," he said.

The foreign minister reiterated that Iran's operation against Israel was "within the framework of legitimate defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not welcome an escalation of tensions in the region, but if the Israeli regime seeks adventurism, our next response will be immediate, stronger, and broader," he warned.

Cameron, for his part, expressed concern about the escalation of tensions in the region following Iran's operation but said the UK would urge Israel not to take further action.

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