Iran Will Strongly Defend Nat’l Security, Interests

The Foreign Ministry said Iran is not seeking to escalate tensions in the region, but would not hesitate for a moment about defending its national security and interests. 
“National security is our redline,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a virtual press briefing on Monday, ISNA reported. 
His comments came in reference to a recent rocket attack on the US Embassy in Iraq, which American officials have blamed on Iran and threatened to respond.  
“In our view, attacking diplomatic and residential places is rejected … Remarks by the US president [Donald Trump] and secretary of state [Mike Pompeo] are also condemned and rejected,” he told reporters. 
He said such statements and their timing are suspicious and mischievous.  
“The responsibility of any provocative measure in the region falls on the US and those who implement such plots,” he added.