TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned Swiss ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano, whose country represents U.S. interests in Iran, to protest Israel's "aggression" against Iran.
She was summoned by Issa Kameli, director general of the department of America at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, a few hours after Israel carried out airstrikes on a number of areas in Iran's capital Tehran and other cities, killing top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, the official news agency IRNA reported.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry official expressed Iran's "disgust and strong protest at Israel's act of aggression that was perpetrated with the U.S. support."
He said Israel's "flagrant crime" was in violation of all international standards and regulations as well as the United Nations Charter.
Kameli pointed to the U.S. track record of providing Israel with "all-out support," highlighting that the U.S. government was responsible for the very "dangerous and large-scale" consequences of Israel's latest adventurism.
He warned against any military support for Israel by the United States, including through preventing Iran from enforcing its "legitimate right to self-defense."
The Swiss envoy gave the assurance to relay Iran's protest to the U.S. government.
Israel early Friday carried out airstrikes on Iran's capital and other cities, killing at least 78 people and wounding 329 others solely in Tehran, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes.
Following the attacks, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel would face a harsh punishment for its "crime" against Iran. Enditem
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