Iran’s foreign ministry has stated that it considers it “essential” to take action against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
A representative from the foreign ministry, Nasser Kanaani, indicated that while Iran does not intend to escalate tensions, it sees retribution as a “vital” reaction to Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran, aiming to avert further instability, as reported by Reuters and The Guardian.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on Haniyeh, but both Iran and Hamas have held Israel accountable for executing the strike.
IRAN DISMISSES REQUESTS FROM US AND ARABS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN RESPONSE TO HAMAS LEADER’S ASSASSINATION
Ismail Haniyeh addresses a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 26, 2024. (Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)
This follows Iran’s rejection of calls from the U.S. and Arab nations to temper its response to Haniyeh’s assassination. The U.S. warned that any substantial retaliatory strike would provoke a reaction, emphasizing that new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s initiatives to engage more with the West would be viewed favorably if Iran displays restraint, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. also stated it was encouraging Israel to ease tensions.
Iran’s leaders have informed Arab diplomats that they are unconcerned about whether their retaliatory actions might lead to war.
In response, Israel has affirmed its readiness to defend against and react to any acts of retaliation.
BIDEN TO CONVENE WITH NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM IN PREPARATION FOR EXPECTED IRANIAN ATTACK ON ISRAEL
Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, speaks to the press after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, on June 28, 2021. (AP)
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Sunday, “Israel is currently engaged in a multifront battle against the Iranian axis of evil. We are prepared for any scenario, defensive or offensive. I reiterate to our adversaries: We will retaliate and impose a severe toll for any act of aggression against us from any front.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, Haniyeh was in Tehran to participate in the inauguration of Iran’s new president when he was killed by an explosive in an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps guesthouse, though Iran and Hamas claim he was struck by a missile instead of a bomb.
Israel has not issued any public statements regarding Haniyeh’s death.
Reuters contributed to this report.
