Iran's attack on Israel is proportionate and legal, and Iran does not seek to escalate regional tensions, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Kanani stated that Iran's action is in accordance with the Article 51 of the UN Charter regarding the legitimate right to self-defense and in response to the deadly Israeli attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria.
"Iran has no intention of exacerbating regional tensions. I stress again that Iran abides by the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law," he said.
Iran launched about 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles, and over 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel late on Saturday in response to Israel's attack on Iran's Damascus consulate on April 1, which killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guards officers, including two top commanders.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) stated that it detained an Israeli-related cargo ship in the Persian Gulf one day before the attack, and Iranian media reports showed that the cargo ship is now berthing in the waters near the Iranian southern port of Bandar Abba.
Kanani said that the cargo ship belonged to the Israeli government and was detained due to violation of international shipping regulations.
Kanani also emphasized that the United States greenlighted Israel's attack on Iranian diplomatic missions in Syria, and should bear the related responsibility.
Iran does not seek to escalate regional tensions: FM
Automotive practitioners and consumers at the ongoing Beijing Auto Show have highlighted the growing popularity of new energy vehicles (NEVs)in the country, and expressed optimism that electric vehicles are set to gain more market share in the near future.
The show, which features 278 NEVs, comes as NEV sales hit a milestone in early April, accounting for more than 50 percent of cars sold in China, showing an overwhelming trend that the Chinese auto industry is going electric.
Consumers are attracted to the novel looks and smart features of rapidly evolving electric vehicles, but they also have higher expectations for new products, especially when it comes to charging and range.
An electric car owner said he hoped for technological improvements in the cars' charging system.
"Charging counts. I hope the car will be more convenient to charge," he said.
To stimulate research and development in the NEV industry, an observer from Europe said there should be more policy support to push the frontier for future vehicles.
"I think that based on all the regulations that are coming all over the world, in Asia [and] especially in Europe -- because I know Europe -- there are going to be more and more companies that will be working on innovation to move forward the EV power train. So, I am pretty sure that we are at the beginning of a new era really," he said.
Gu Huinan, general manager of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile, said they have prepared multiple ways to promote the innovative development of NEVs to meet customers' expectations.
"We are working on multiple paths to electrification, including battery replacement and fast charging. We are now driving innovation and promotion in both areas," said Gu.
Industry insiders, consumers at Beijing Auto Show highlight growing popularity of NEVs
