KUALA LUMPUR: Iran remains committed to achieving peace and stability but has issued a stern warning of fierce self-defence against any attack, an Iranian diplomat said.
Iranian embassy in Malaysia deputy head of mission Mohammadredza Baksahraei said this in response to recent threats by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed that Israel would "make Iran pay" following missile strikes on Israeli military bases.
He said while Iran does not seek conflict, it is fully prepared to defend itself.
"As I said, we don't want to be involved in anyone's war. But if Israel, or anyone else, attacks Iran, we will respond strongly," he said when met by the New Straits Times at the embassy's Cultural Centre.
Various representatives from other embassies such as Iraq and Syria were at the gathering to pay tribute to Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu also briefly visited the centre.
On Sept 27, an Israeli air strike on a suburb of Beirut killed Hizbollah's longtime leader Nasrallah, sparking fears of an all-out war in the region.
More than 700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to Iran health ministry figures, since the bombardment of Hizbollah strongholds began earlier this month
Two days after the airstrike, the Israeli military said it conducted strikes against "dozens" of Hizbollah targets in Lebanon
Hizbollah then retaliated with a targeted attack on an air base in Tel Aviv in response to the attacks on civilians in Lebanon.
Baksahraei said Iran had already demonstrated its capabilities, referring to a recent operation where its forces launched more than 200 missiles and drones at Israeli targets.
"Two nights ago, Iranian forces fired over 200 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israeli territory. Over 90 per cent of them hit their targets, including three key military bases," he said.
He said the strikes were not intended to cause mass casualties but to send a clear message to Israel.
"We don't want to kill anyone. We just want to show them that we can strike if necessary.
"We, as Iranians, want to live in peace and prosperity. We don't seek war with anyone."